Prosecutors announced the arrest publicly, with video of an FBI escort at LAX shared by the U.S. Attorney.

First U.S. Attorney announced the charges publicly and indicated the sentencing exposure of up to 20 years in prison.

Mafi is accused of operating through an Oman-based company, Atlas International Business, with a co-conspirator, which received over $7 million in payments in 2025.

A contract worth more than $70 million for Mohajer-6 drones sourced from Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics is cited, along with claims of a network facilitating the transfer of 55,000 bomb fuses to Sudan’s Ministry of Defence.

She is the third person from Los Angeles’ Iranian diaspora to be arrested by the FBI in three weeks.

Upcoming proceedings include an initial court appearance in Downtown Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, with potential expansion of the investigation to Mafi’s Woodland Hills business associates.

The article carries an update timestamp and notes that additional information was added to the piece.

The arrest occurs amid broader geopolitical context, including ongoing ceasefire talks involving U.S. officials and Iran.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high despite discussions of a potential peace deal, with a second round of negotiations possible before the ceasefire expires.

Mafi, an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident in 2016, is set to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors allege that Mafi brokered the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition between Iran and Sudan’s armed forces.

Mafi is described as an immigrant who obtained a green card in 2016 and is alleged to have skirted U.S. sanctions to facilitate munitions transfers between Iran and Sudan.