U.S. Arrests Iranian Businesswoman at LAX on Charges of Illegal Arms Sales to Sudan
LOS ANGELES — Federal authorities have arrested an Iranian businesswoman at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of orchestrating illegal arms shipments from Iran to Sudan, including military drones, bombs, and millions of rounds of ammunition, the Justice Department announced.
The suspect, whose name has not been publicly released, was taken into custody upon arrival at LAX following a lengthy investigation involving multiple federal agencies and international intelligence partners. Prosecutors allege she acted as an intermediary between Iranian weapons suppliers and Sudanese military forces, coordinating transfers that violate both U.S. export control laws and international sanctions.
“The defendant is accused of brokering deals that would funnel lethal military equipment into a war-torn region, directly undermining U.S. national security and global nonproliferation efforts,” a Justice Department official said in a statement.
Court documents unsealed after the arrest describe a covert network in which the woman allegedly facilitated shipments of advanced weaponry, including armed drones and explosive munitions, to Sudan. The African nation has been mired in a devastating internal conflict since April 2023, with rival military factions battling for control.
Investigators say the operation spanned several months and relied on clandestine communication methods to evade detection. The case was led by the Justice Department’s National Security Division, working alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, and undisclosed foreign intelligence partners.
The suspect faces charges of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations. If convicted, she could face decades in federal prison.
An initial court appearance is expected in the coming days in Los Angeles federal court. It was not immediately clear whether the suspect had retained legal counsel.
The arrest marks the latest in a series of U.S. efforts to disrupt Iranian weapons proliferation networks operating across the Middle East and Africa.
About The Author
