By Eniola Amadu
The Trump administration has announced fresh restrictions on Iranian diplomats in the United States, barring them from shopping at wholesale club stores such as Costco and from purchasing luxury goods without prior approval from the State Department.
In a statement released, the State Department said the measures were necessary to prevent Iranian officials from enjoying privileges not available to citizens in Iran, who continue to face poverty, infrastructure decay, and shortages of basic resources.
“We will not allow the Iranian regime to allow its clerical elites to have a shopping spree in New York while the Iranian people endure poverty, crumbling infrastructure, and dire shortages of water and electricity,” the department said.
According to notices filed with the Federal Register, the restrictions cover both Iranian diplomats based in New York and those visiting the city for official duties, including engagements at the United Nations.
The Office of Foreign Missions determined that wholesale memberships at stores such as Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale Club constitute “benefits” requiring U.S. government approval.
Iranian diplomats must also obtain permission before buying luxury goods worth more than $1,000 or vehicles priced above $60,000.
The list of restricted items includes watches, jewelry, furs, handbags, perfumes, leather goods, silk, footwear, antiques, artworks, electronics, musical instruments, cigarettes, alcohol, and carpets.
Clifton Seagroves, head of the Office of Foreign Missions, signed the determinations earlier this month, confirming they apply to Iranian diplomats and their dependents year-round.
The restrictions come as world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly.
The U.S. State Department said the move reinforces its commitment to supporting the Iranian people and preventing regime officials from using diplomatic travel to gain access to goods unavailable at home.
“By preventing Iranian regime officials from exploiting diplomatic travel to the UN as a means to obtain goods unavailable to the Iranian public, we are sending a clear message: When the United States says it stands with the people of Iran, we mean it,” the department said.
Officials also indicated that similar restrictions may be considered for delegations from Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Brazil.
