Today, the United States government announced additional restrictions. These measures provide tailored measures against Iranian diplomats and officials who will be present at the UN summit in New York. The “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran focuses on these measures. These measures are intended to cut back on the shopping habits of Iranian diplomats and other diplomats based in the city.
The spokesman for the State Department, Thomas Pigott, set forth the reasoning that underlies the restrictions. He emphasized that the U.S. will not permit Iranian officials to indulge in luxury shopping while their country faces significant hardships.
“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,” – Thomas Pigott
The restrictions, which were formally issued in the Federal Register on Tuesday, only apply to purchases made within New York. Iranians officials will be hard-pressed to purchase toilet paper. Big box retailers such as Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club await them with open arms and represent an uphill battle.
Additionally, the limitations extend to high-value items. Anything priced over $1,000 is banned, which encompasses an entire range of luxury items from high-end watches to electronics. Higher value vehicles are subject to prohibitions. Vehicles valued at over $60,000 are included in the vehicle prohibitions.
These restrictions are the result of the fraught and complicated history between the U.S. and Iran. First, they focus almost entirely on Iran’s internal repression and regional behavior. By limiting access to consumer goods, U.S. officials aim to exert additional pressure on the Iranian regime during a period of heightened scrutiny.