US says Iranian UN officials barred from luxury shopping in New York
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- The United States has again restricted the Iranian delegation’s access to wholesale stores and luxury goods during its visit to New York for the UN General Assembly.
- The measures follow criticism of purchases made by Iranian delegations during previous UN visits.
The United States has imposed restrictions on the Iranian delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, limiting its access to wholesale stores and luxury goods, according to US officials.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the restrictions were intended to prevent Iranian officials from using their visit to New York for luxury shopping while ordinary Iranians face economic difficulties.
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“While ordinary Iranians suffer brutal repression, water and electricity shortages, and rising inflation, regime officials want to go on shopping trips in New York,” Pigott wrote on X.
“Not on our watch,” he added, saying the United States would not allow Iranian officials to use the UN General Assembly as an opportunity to purchase luxury goods.
The United States introduced similar restrictions on the Iranian delegation in 2025. Under those measures, Iranian officials and their dependents required prior approval to access wholesale club stores or acquire certain luxury goods.
The restrictions came amid longstanding criticism over purchases made by Iranian delegations during visits to New York.
In 2022, footage showed goods being loaded into a truck after former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s delegation visited New York. Reports said the items included household appliances, baby diapers, dietary supplements and other consumer goods.
The images drew criticism because many of the same products are difficult or expensive to obtain in Iran amid international sanctions and economic pressures.
The latest restrictions come as Iranian officials prepare to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, with tensions between Washington and Tehran remaining high following the conflict that began earlier this year.
