Iranian woman arrested in US arms deal case

A 44-year-old Iranian born woman, Shamim Mafi, has been arrested in the United States for allegedly being involved in illegal weapons deals linked to Iran. She was caught at Los Angeles International Airport while trying to board a flight to Istanbul. 

According to US authorities, Mafi is a green card holder and was living in California. She is accused of arranging the sales of drones, bombs, and ammunition to Sudan. Officials believe these deals were part of a bigger network connected to Tehran.

Prosecutors said she helped in selling Iranian-made weapons, including drones, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition. One major deal under investigation reportedly worth more than $70 million and involved advanced drones called Mohajer-6.

Authorities reportedly claim that she used a company registered in Oman to secretly carry out these deals and avoid being caught. Investigators believe she was in contact with the Ministry of intelligence and Security between 2022 and 2025. They say she was guided and supported by them to run these operations from the US. 

However, Mafi has denied these claims and told officials that she was not working under instructions from Iranian authorities.

She has now been charged under US sanctions laws, and if found guilty, she could face up to 20 years in prison. Her first court hearing will take place in Los Angeles.