Iranian Woman Arrested and Indicted in Los Angeles for Smuggling Weapons to Sudan
A 44-year-old Iranian woman living in the US was arrested for allegedly brokering the sale of Iranian-made weapons, including drones, to Sudan, highlighting the international dimensions of the Sudanese conflict.
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- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 11:40
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 12:00 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 12:35 (35 min after Collected)
US Prosecutor Bill Essayli posted on social media platform X, stating that 44-year-old Mafi is accused of "brokering the sale of Iranian-made weapons to Sudan, including drones, bombs, bomb fuzes, and millions of rounds of ammunition."
Prosecutors stated that Mafi resides in Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles. She is an Iranian national who obtained legal permanent residency in the US in 2016.
Mafi was arrested yesterday, and if convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The prosecutor's post was accompanied by photos: one appearing to show Mafi being arrested at an airport, a mugshot of Mafi, and a photo of a large bundle of cash.
The United Nations recently warned that as the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) enters its fourth year, Sudan faces the risk of collapse and comprehensive famine.
Denise Brown, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, told AFP on the 16th that Sudan is facing the world's largest humanitarian crisis, and a massive influx of foreign weapons must bear some of the blame.
The UN has repeatedly urged foreign powers to stop fueling the conflict in Sudan, without naming specific countries.
According to AFP reports, the conflict in Sudan stems from a standoff between the government army and the RSF; the government army has received support from Egypt and Saudi Arabia and deployed Turkish and Iranian-made drones.
The RSF is accused of committing genocide in Sudan, with many pointing fingers at the United Arab Emirates for supplying weapons, though the UAE has denied these allegations. (Compiled by: Ji Jinling) 1150420
Prosecutors stated that Mafi resides in Woodland Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles. She is an Iranian national who obtained legal permanent residency in the US in 2016.
Mafi was arrested yesterday, and if convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
The prosecutor's post was accompanied by photos: one appearing to show Mafi being arrested at an airport, a mugshot of Mafi, and a photo of a large bundle of cash.
The United Nations recently warned that as the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) enters its fourth year, Sudan faces the risk of collapse and comprehensive famine.
Denise Brown, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, told AFP on the 16th that Sudan is facing the world's largest humanitarian crisis, and a massive influx of foreign weapons must bear some of the blame.
The UN has repeatedly urged foreign powers to stop fueling the conflict in Sudan, without naming specific countries.
According to AFP reports, the conflict in Sudan stems from a standoff between the government army and the RSF; the government army has received support from Egypt and Saudi Arabia and deployed Turkish and Iranian-made drones.
The RSF is accused of committing genocide in Sudan, with many pointing fingers at the United Arab Emirates for supplying weapons, though the UAE has denied these allegations. (Compiled by: Ji Jinling) 1150420