Iranian Woman Detained in US for Alleged Arms Dealing with Sudan

Sudan’s Conflict Intensifies as International Involvement Under Scrutiny

Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old Iranian national, was apprehended at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday. Federal prosecutors allege she facilitated the transfer of Iranian-made weapons, including drones, bombs, and millions of rounds of ammunition, to Sudan’s defense forces. The charges stem from a €60 million drone contract, among other deals, according to court filings.

“Mafi brokered the sale of drones, bombs, and bomb fuses to Sudan, including a €60m drone agreement,” stated Bill Essayli, a senior US prosecutor, on X. He added that she “received over €6m in payments and issued receipts for the transaction.”

Mafi, who has not yet responded to the accusations, is set to appear in court on Monday. If found guilty, she could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The FBI’s criminal complaint, shared with the BBC, details her role in organizing a Sudanese delegation’s visit to Iran and her submission of a letter of intent to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses.

Her actions reportedly involved using informal networks to bypass US sanctions, which restrict US persons from engaging in transactions with Iranian goods or services without approval. Court documents suggest she aimed to evade these rules by coordinating multiple deals through unofficial channels.

At the time of her arrest, Mafi was preparing to board a flight from California to Turkey. Essayli’s post included photos of her surrounded by agents at the airport, alongside images of a drone on the tarmac and stacks of cash.

Sudan has been mired in a brutal civil war for three years, pitting the military against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has triggered one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, with thousands dead and millions displaced, as noted by the UN. International actors, including Iran, have been implicated in supplying arms to both factions, exacerbating the violence.

Rights group Amnesty International previously identified weapons from Serbia, Russia, China, Turkey, Yemen, and the UAE in Sudan’s arsenal. Although Iran has faced accusations of supporting Sudan’s military, the country has denied such claims.

Additional reporting by Barbara Plett Usher. For more updates on African news, visit BBCAfrica.com. Follow @BBCAfrica on Twitter, BBC Africa on Facebook, or bbcafrica on Instagram.