Shamim Mafi: Five things to know about Iranian green card holder arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of trafficking weapons to Iran
As tensions between the U.S.-U.S. Iran An Iranian woman was arrested at Los Angeles Airport on suspicion of trafficking weapons to Iran as the maritime blockade in the Strait of Hormuz escalates. Bill Essayli, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District californiaidentified the woman as 44-year-old Shamim Mafi.
Based in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, Mafi is known for its expensive lifestyle. Essali said Shamim Mafi allegedly brokered a deal to sell Iranian-made weapons to Iran. Sudan. He claimed they included “drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition.”
Essayli said Mafi has been charged under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Photos of a bag of dollar bills seized from her were also shared.
However, Shamim Mafi’s arrest has thrust her lavish lifestyle into the spotlight. In this article, we will learn 5 interesting things about Shamim Mafi.
Shamim Mafi: 5 things to know
1. Became a U.S. citizen in 2016
Bill Essayli confirms that Shamim Mafi is not in the United States illegally. she gained green card He was approved by the U.S. government in 2016 and has been living in the U.S. since then. However, she is not a U.S. citizen.
Also read: ‘Things have changed’: Vance to travel to Pakistan for Iran talks after Trump first says ‘no’
2. Criminal prosecution and arrest
ABC News reported that Shamim Mafi’s arrest came against the backdrop of a criminal complaint filed against her on March 12. The lawsuit alleges that she and an unidentified co-conspirator trafficked the weapons through an Omani company called Atlas International Commercial.
3. Mafi Company Allegedly Gets $7 Million in 2025
The complainants allege that Shamim Mafi’s Omani company received payments of more than $7 million in 2025. The complainant claimed that the money was proceeds from the sale of 5,000 bomb fuses to the Sudanese Ministry of Defense and the payment was therefore subject to scrutiny.
Also read: The ’embarrassing’ reason Trump was excluded from situation room during Iran rescue of F-15 pilots
4. Allegedly maintains regular contact with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
The report states that Shamim Mafi has been communicating with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps regarding the alleged purchase of weapons for sale to the Sudanese government. They include a letter of intent submitted to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and court documents in the case notes.
5. Focus on luxury lifestyle
Shamim Mafi was arrested during the war in Iran and his lavish lifestyle came under widespread scrutiny. Internet sleuths dug up photos of Mafi riding in a shiny convertible that some claimed was selling for more than $100,000.
Shamim Mafi appears in court
Shamim Mafi will make his first appearance in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, April 20. As of now, there are no reports of a lawyer representing Mafi. Meanwhile, Essaly noted in his post that Maffei is “considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
