Elon Musk, tech billionaire and adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump, reportedly held a private meeting with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, in New York, according to a report from the New York Times. The hour-long meeting, which took place at a secret location on Monday, focused on defusing tensions between Iran and the United States, two Iranian officials confirmed to the media outlet.
The meeting’s timing, shortly after Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, has drawn attention, particularly in light of Trump’s previous “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. During Trump’s first term, his administration imposed stringent sanctions that crippled Iran’s economy, targeting key sectors such as oil exports and financial systems, while also aiming to curtail Tehran’s support for regional militant groups. In response, Iran ramped up uranium enrichment and increased its involvement in regional conflicts, including strikes against Israel.
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The meeting between Musk and Iravani has raised speculation about Musk’s role in the incoming Trump administration and his potential influence over US foreign policy, particularly regarding Iran. Neither Musk, Trump’s team, nor the Iranian mission to the UN have confirmed or commented on the reported meeting. Furthermore, Biden administration officials at the United Nations were reportedly not informed of the meeting, according to a US official speaking to CNN.
Musk’s involvement in diplomatic matters is not entirely new. Just last week, he participated in a call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where Zelensky thanked Musk for his support of Ukraine’s war effort through Starlink communications. This growing role in geopolitical affairs, coupled with Musk’s recent appointment to lead a newly proposed “Department of Government Efficiency” alongside entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, has led to concerns about possible conflicts of interest, given Musk’s extensive federal contracts with NASA, the US military, and other agencies.
While Musk’s new role and the department’s establishment may shift government operations and spending, it is unclear if the initiative will find backing, even with a Republican-majority Congress. As Trump’s return to office looms, the future trajectory of US-Iran relations remains uncertain, with analysts noting that the direction could either see a return to confrontation or, potentially, a new diplomatic approach, hinted at by Musk’s involvement in these early discussions.
