LA Woman Arrested for Alleged Iran Arms Trafficking

Shamim Mafi accused of brokering sale of drones, bombs, and bomb fuses to Iranian government

Apr. 20, 2026 at 9:47am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a disassembled drone component, such as a circuit board or propeller, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the alleged arms trafficking activity.Authorities allege a Los Angeles woman facilitated the sale of military drones and other arms to the Iranian government, exposing ongoing efforts to disrupt sanctions evasion.Los Angeles Today

A 44-year-old Iranian woman living in Los Angeles, Shamim Mafi, was arrested at LAX on Saturday night and charged with brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and other military equipment to the government of Iran.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to crack down on alleged sanctions evasion and arms trafficking activities that could aid Iran's military capabilities, which are seen as a threat to regional stability and U.S. national security interests.

The details

Mafi is accused of arranging the sale of various military-grade equipment, including drones, bombs, and bomb fuses, to representatives of the Iranian government. She was apprehended at LAX as she was attempting to travel to Iran.

  • Mafi was arrested on Saturday, April 19, 2026 at Los Angeles International Airport.

The players

Shamim Mafi

A 44-year-old Iranian woman living in Los Angeles who was arrested and charged with brokering the sale of military equipment to the Iranian government.

U.S. Officials

Law enforcement authorities who announced Mafi's arrest and charges related to alleged arms trafficking for the Iranian government.

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What’s next

Mafi is expected to appear in federal court in the coming days to face charges related to the alleged arms trafficking scheme.

The takeaway

This arrest is the latest in a series of U.S. government efforts to disrupt Iran's access to military equipment and technology, underscoring the ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran's regional influence and nuclear program.