NEW YORK — Diplomats from Iran must now seek permission from the U.S. government in order to shop at wholesale club stores, thanks to a Trump administration decision. The ban was announced Monday by the Department of State, according to the Associated Press, and applies to diplomats based in or visiting New York.
“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,” read part of a statement from the State Department.
The move comes after the agency’s Office of Foreign Missions determined that shopping in stores like Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale Club is a “benefit” that requires U.S. government approval. The same logic applies to diplomats’ ability to buy luxury items such as watches, furs, jewelry, handbags, wallets, perfumes, tobacco, alcohol and cars.
The decision specifically applies to diplomats from Iran as it is the only nation mentioned in the notices. The agency alleges the diplomats buy large quantities of products not available in Iran at low prices before sending them back home.
“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,” the State Department said.
Aside from not shopping at the wholesale clubs, diplomats must seek permission to buy any luxury items valued at more than $1,000 and vehicles valued at more than $60,000.