AP: Trump Administration Considers Banning Iranian Diplomats from Costco

Costco Store Exterior Photo by AP Yonhap News

The Trump administration is reportedly considering banning Iranian diplomats in the United States from entering membership-based warehouse stores as part of its sanctions against Iran.

On September 5 (local time), the Associated Press reported that at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting, the Trump administration, following its visa denial to the Palestinian delegation, is considering additional sanctions targeting Iran, Brazil, and other countries. According to an internal memo from the U.S. State Department obtained by the Associated Press, the new sanctions could potentially target Iran, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and, somewhat unexpectedly, Brazil. The United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting is set to open on the 22nd, and Brazil has traditionally delivered the first speech at the opening ceremony.

Costco Store Scene Photo by AP Yonhap News

The Associated Press noted that the measures currently under discussion have not yet been finalized and could change depending on circumstances, but interpreted this as part of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten overall visa policies.

The Associated Press specifically reported, "In the case of Iranian diplomats, their activities in New York are already strictly limited, and one of the options being discussed within the State Department is to, in principle, prohibit entry to membership-based warehouse stores such as Costco or Sam's Club, requiring explicit prior approval from the State Department to use them." These stores have been favored by Iranian diplomats stationed in New York, as they allow them to purchase large quantities of goods-often difficult to obtain in their home country-at relatively low prices to send back to Iran.

The Associated Press added, "It is unclear when such a shopping ban might actually take effect, but the memo states that the State Department is also considering drafting rules that would allow it to impose conditions and regulations on all foreign diplomats' memberships at warehouse stores in the United States in the future."

Regarding Brazil, it remains unclear whether potential visa restrictions would apply to President Lula or only to lower-level members of the delegation.