Iranian Entrepreneur Arrested for Alleged Arms Trafficking in US
Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old Iranian entrepreneur with a US green card, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night. She is accused of trafficking arms for Iran, with investigations revealing contacts with Iran’s intelligence services from 2022 to 2025. Mafi allegedly used an Oman-registered company to broker deals, including a contract worth over $70 million for armed drones destined for Sudan. US authorities have charged her with violations related to the sale of drones, bombs, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured in Iran. The arrest occurs amid ongoing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran, which escalated on February 28, 2026.
Published 1 day ago • 19 Apr 2026, 11:01 PM IST