Media: US police arrest Iranian woman over alleged arms trafficking

Police have arrested Shamim Mafi, an Iranian woman, at Los Angeles airport, on charges of acting as an intermediary in arms trafficking in violation of US sanctions.

The 44-year-old Iranian national allegedly took part in supplying Iranian-made drones, bombs, detonators, assault weapons, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Investigators say she was involved in the provision of millions of rounds of ammunition produced in Iran and sold to Sudan.

The case reportedly includes a contract for the delivery of Mohajer-6 drones worth more than $70 million.

Authorities say Mafi acted in coordination with and on behalf of Iran.

Prosecutors allege she used a company registered in Oman to bypass US sanctions.

The FBI believes she was also in contact with a representative of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and carried out tasks linked to Iranian government-affiliated individuals, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

She was detained while preparing to fly to Türkiye.

If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov