US restricts Iranian diplomats' club memberships and luxury purchases

The Trump administration has ordered Iranian diplomats based in or visiting New York to obtain State Department approval before joining wholesale club stores such as Costco or buying a wide range of luxury goods and vehicles, officials said. The restrictions, published in notices to be posted in the Federal Register this week, apply to Iranian envoys and their dependents in the United States, including those attending the United Nations General Assembly.

The State Department’s Office of Foreign Missions determined that memberships at wholesale clubs and purchases of numerous items constitute a diplomatic “benefit” that must be approved by Washington, Clifton Seagroves, head of the office, said. The notices list Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club by name and specify that diplomats must obtain permission before acquiring or retaining memberships or acquiring items from such stores by any means. Seagroves said permission also is required to purchase luxury goods valued at more than $1,000 and vehicles valued at more than $60,000.

The list of items defined as luxury goods is broad and includes watches, leather and silk apparel and accessories, footwear, fur skins, handbags,...