US Imposes Maximum Pressure Ban on Iranian Officials' Shopping in New York

The U.S. government has imposed strict restrictions on Iranian officials attending the United Nations summit in New York, barring them from purchasing a wide range of goods including bulk household items and luxury products such as expensive watches and vehicles over $60,000. These measures, described as "maximum pressure" by State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott, aim to prevent the Iranian regime's elites from luxury shopping sprees while the Iranian population suffers from poverty, infrastructure decay, and shortages of essentials like water and electricity. Iranian diplomats are specifically prohibited from shopping at major wholesale retailers including Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's Wholesale Club, and must now seek State Department approval to buy luxury goods valued over $1,000. The U.S. sanctions have severely impacted Iran's economy by restricting imports and hindering Tehran's ability to sell oil and other exports globally. President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to cripple Iran's nuclear program, including ordering bomb and missile attacks on nuclear sites earlier this year. These actions reflect the broader U.S. strategy to apply economic and diplomatic pressure on Iran at the international level.