Iranian officials visiting New York for the United Nations summit this week will not be able to shop freely after the United States government announced new trade restrictions against them.
The State Department said the move was part of its “maximum pressure” policy on Tehran.
“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,” State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott said.
The new rule, published Tuesday in the Federal Register, bars Iranian diplomats and other officials from buying goods at major stores such as Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club.
It also requires them to seek special permission from the State Department before purchasing luxury goods. Items on the restricted list include watches, electronics and fountain pens worth more than $1,000, as well as vehicles valued at over $60,000.
Iran’s economy has already been under strain due to heavy US sanctions that have hurt imports and reduced Tehran’s ability to sell oil and other exports.
President Donald Trump has pushed to weaken Iran’s nuclear program since taking office this year. In June, he ordered bomb and missile attacks on three nuclear sites, further straining relations between Washington and Tehran.
