The Trump administration announced new restrictions Monday targeting Iranian diplomats in the United States, limiting both their movements and their ability to purchase certain goods.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed that Iranian officials, including members of the delegation visiting New York for the annual UN General Assembly, will no longer be permitted to shop at U.S. “wholesale club stores” such as Costco, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s without prior approval. The notice is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register.
“These officials must obtain approval to have a membership and purchase items at any wholesale club store in the United States,” the State Department stated. The restrictions also extend to the purchase of luxury goods, part of Washington’s broader pressure campaign against Tehran.
In addition to the shopping ban, Iranian officials are confined to strictly designated travel zones within the U.S. They may only move between their lodging, the Iranian Mission in New York, and the United Nations headquarters — limitations that have been imposed in previous years but are now reinforced alongside the new consumer restrictions.
The U.S. has long sought to limit the privileges of Iranian diplomats as tensions remain high between Washington and Tehran over nuclear issues, regional conflicts, and sanctions. By tightening rules on both movement and access to consumer markets, the administration says it aims to prevent abuses of diplomatic presence.
The move comes at a time when Iran’s diplomatic engagement with the UN remains one of its only official channels with the U.S., raising further questions about how these restrictions will affect the already strained relationship.