Why did the US ban Iranian diplomats from shopping at Costco?
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() The Trump administration has imposed shopping restrictions on Iranian diplomats at the United Nations, barring them from wholesale retailers like Costco and luxury purchases without State Department approval.

The new regulations, posted Monday in the Federal Register, specifically target Iranian diplomatic personnel and their families, requiring advance government permission before shopping at warehouse stores including Costco Wholesale Corp., Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

Iranian diplomats must also obtain approval before purchasing luxury items valued above $1,000 or vehicles costing more than $60,000, according to Clifton Seagroves, head of the State Department’s Office of Foreign Missions.

“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. Today’s actions affirms the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting the Iranian people in their pursuit of accountability for the regime and for a better life.”

The State Department wrote in a press release

The restrictions are the latest escalation in the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Iran, coming as world leaders gather for the annual U.N. General Assembly in New York. Unlike existing travel limitations that affect multiple sanctioned nations, the shopping ban singles out Iran exclusively.

Move targets diplomats who bulk-buy goods to send home

Costco and similar warehouse retailers have become popular destinations for Iranian diplomatic personnel, who purchase large quantities of consumer goods unavailable in their economically isolated homeland due to international sanctions. The bulk purchases are typically shipped back to Iran.

The luxury goods restrictions encompass an extensive list, including watches, jewelry, handbags, perfumes, electronics, musical instruments, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. Fur apparel, precious metals, artwork and oriental rugs also require prior approval under the new rules.

The shopping limitations add another layer to existing diplomatic restrictions on Iranian representatives, who must remain within a 25-mile radius of Columbus Circle in Manhattan, a rule that also applies to diplomats from Cuba and Venezuela.

The timing coincides with broader diplomatic tensions as the administration has denied visas to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and considers similar restrictions on delegations from Sudan, Zimbabwe and Brazil.

Iran faces additional pressure as U.N. sanctions, temporarily lifted under the 2015 nuclear agreement, are set to resume following action by Britain, France and Germany, citing Tehran’s limited cooperation with international nuclear inspectors.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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