Overview
- Iranian diplomats accredited to the UN and their dependents must obtain State Department approval before holding or acquiring memberships at U.S. wholesale clubs such as Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s.
- The new rules also require approval for purchases of defined luxury goods over $1,000 and for vehicles priced above $60,000.
- The determinations were signed by Office of Foreign Missions chief Clifton Seagroves on September 16 and 18 and are now published in the Federal Register.
- The restrictions apply year-round to any Iranian representative to the UN, extending beyond the General Assembly period.
- U.S. officials reiterated existing movement limits for Iran’s delegation in New York, and reports say similar purchase controls are under consideration for other countries’ missions.