Trump administration considers new restrictions on foreign delegations at UN General Assembly, plans to bar Iranian diplomats from shopping at wholesale stores like Costco.

Trump administration considers new restrictions on foreign delegations at UN General Assembly, plans to bar Iranian diplomats from shopping at wholesale stores like Costco.

The Trump administration is considering imposing new restrictions on foreign delegations attending the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, according to an internal State Department memo. The proposed measures include barring Iranian diplomats from shopping at wholesale stores like Costco and Sam’s Club without prior State Department permission [1][2].

The memo suggests that the administration is planning to limit the ability of delegations from Iran, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Brazil to travel outside New York City. This comes as part of a broader crackdown on visas and a review of existing travel permissions for foreign delegations attending the high-level meeting [1][2].

For Iran, the proposal would significantly impact the daily lives of diplomats, who have historically relied on membership in wholesale clubs to purchase bulk goods at lower prices, many of which are unavailable in economically isolated Iran. The memo indicates that the State Department is also considering drafting rules to impose terms and conditions on memberships in wholesale clubs by all foreign diplomats in the U.S. [1][2][3].

Brazil, traditionally honored during the UN General Assembly, is also under consideration for potential visa restrictions. However, it remains unclear whether any restrictions will affect President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or lower-level members of Brazil’s delegation [1][2].

Syria, whose delegation members have received a waiver from travel limitations, will see fewer restrictions. The waiver comes as the Trump administration seeks to build ties with Syria following the ouster of President Bashar Assad last year [1][2].

The memo did not specify what restrictions might be imposed on the Sudanese and Zimbabwean delegations [1][2]. The State Department did not immediately provide comment, and the Iranian and Brazilian UN missions did not respond to requests for comment [1][2].

The proposed restrictions are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to exert deeper influence over the daily operations of certain delegations, making the everyday life of Iranian diplomats a focal point in U.S. foreign policy. This move could potentially strain diplomatic relations further, adding to the already tense atmosphere between the U.S. and Iran [3].

References:
[1] https://apnews.com/article/us-un-iran-brazil-sudan-zimbabwe-visas-0ab158019f7192a90289d8ed432e1188
[2] https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/05/middleeast/us-ban-iranians-shopping-costco-during-un-latam-intl
[3] https://www.mibolsillo.co/news/Trump-Would-Apply-Costco-Shopping-Restrictions-to-Iranian-Diplomats-20250906-0001.html