U.S. Restricts Iranian Diplomats' and Families' Shopping

The Trump administration has ordered that Iranian diplomats and their family members in New York and visiting the United States must obtain State Department approval before holding memberships or shopping at wholesale clubs such as Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s, according to Federal Register notices. The measures also require approval for purchases of “luxury items” over $1,000 and vehicles over $60,000, and limit Iranian officials’ movements in New York to routes strictly necessary for U.N. business; officials say the rules apply year‑round to U.N. representatives. The State Department said the steps are intended to prevent Iranian elites from exploiting diplomatic travel to procure goods and to signal support for the Iranian people as part of broader diplomatic and visa restrictions. Critics say the measures are designed to embarrass Tehran and inflame public opinion by highlighting disparities between elites and ordinary citizens.