Shamim Mafi was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of helping Iran traffic weapons to Sudan. The 44-year-old Iranian national is accused of brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition.
Mafi became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016. He and a co-conspirator operated a company called Atlas International Business in Oman. This company received over $7 million in payments in 2025.
Authorities allege that Mafi brokered the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses to the Sudanese Ministry of Defense. He reportedly submitted a letter of intent to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to facilitate this purchase.
If convicted, Mafi could face up to 20 years in prison. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific charges he will face.
Meanwhile, a separate incident occurred early Tuesday when authorities conducted a controlled explosion of a World War II bomb near Paris. This bomb was discovered on April 10, 2026, in Colombes, a suburb of the city.
Evacuations affected more than a thousand residents within a 450-metre radius during the operation. The bomb measured over one meter in length—excluding its tail section—and required extensive police involvement.
In total, around 800 police officers were deployed for this bomb disposal operation. The controlled explosion took place at approximately 3:20 PM after residents had been evacuated.
The depth for the pit used for detonation was two metres. Unexploded World War II ordnance remains a significant issue across Europe, particularly in Germany.
This dual focus on bomb-related incidents highlights ongoing global concerns about weapon trafficking and historical explosives still posing risks today.