Iran successfully sought a meeting with Elon Musk, according to a US official, as part of a series of actions intended at lowering tensions with President-elect Donald Trump.
Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani met with Musk, a Trump loyalist designated last week to advise his administration on ways to reduce the federal government, on Monday in New York, according to a U.S. official briefed on the encounter by a foreign colleague.
The person said he had been briefed that the talk would cover a wide range of themes, including Iran’s nuclear program, its support for anti-Israel groups throughout the Middle East, and chances for improved relations with the US.
The individual, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a non-US government discussion, stated that neither side made any rapid decisions. According to the person, the Iranians sought a meeting with Musk, the world’s richest man, which did not take place at the Iranian delegation to the United Nations.
The Trump transition team declined to confirm or deny the meeting, which was first reported by The New York Times.
“The American people re-elected President Trump because they believe in his ability to lead our country and restore global peace through strength. When he returns to the White House, he will take the appropriate steps to accomplish this,” said Karoline Leavitt, a Trump transition spokesperson.
However, Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported on Saturday that Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei disputed that the country’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani met with Musk in New York and expressed surprise at the substantial media attention by American outlets on the subject.
Iran’s outreach comes as Trump announces nominees for key foreign policy positions, including Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and Rep. Mike Waltz for National Security Advisor, who are thought to be strong on Iran.
According to intelligence officials, Iran opposes Trump’s second term because he is more likely to escalate tensions between Washington and Tehran. Trump’s administration terminated a nuclear deal with Iran, reimposed sanctions, and ordered the assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, prompting Iran’s officials to threaten vengeance.
This month, the Justice Department unveiled an Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill Trump, prosecuting a man who claimed to have been entrusted by an Iranian government official in September with arranging Trump’s assassination. The Iranian foreign ministry dismissed the report.
According to federal investigators, the plot was part of Iran’s continuous efforts to target US government figures, including Trump, on US land. Last summer, for example, the Justice Department prosecuted a Pakistani citizen with ties to Iran in a murder-for-hire plan against US officials.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing anonymous US sources, that Iran informed the Biden administration in a written letter delivered on Oct. 14 that it would not attempt to murder Trump. It was in response to the United States’ previous warning that an attempt on Trump’s life would be deemed an act of war, according to the Journal.
In response to questions about allegations in the Journal and other publications, Iran’s U.N. mission stated that it does not publish public statements regarding “official messages exchanged between the two countries.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has long declared its commitment to pursuing Martyr Soleimani’s assassination through legal and judicial avenues, while adhering fully to the recognized principles of international law,” in a statement.
While Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on all affairs of state, has often indicated his displeasure with Trump, Iran’s new reformist president has left the door open for negotiations with him to seek relief from international sanctions.
The Trump transition team did not respond to inquiries seeking comment on the Iranian mission’s statement from Friday.
