Iranian National Charged with Brokering Arms Sales for Iran

Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old Iranian national and U.S. lawful permanent resident, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night. Federal prosecutors have charged her with brokering the sale of Iranian-manufactured weapons and ammunition to Sudan.

The Charges

According to court documents, Mafi is accused of arranging the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition from Iran to Sudan.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated the charges allege this activity was conducted on behalf of the Iranian government.

If convicted on the charge of brokering deals for the sale of defense articles on behalf of a foreign government without a license, Mafi faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Background and Next Steps

Mafi became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016. She is scheduled to make her initial court appearance Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.