Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and ally of President-elect Donald Trump, met with Iran’s UN Ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani. The goal was to ease tensions between Tehran and Washington. The meeting took place in a secret location on Monday. It lasted for over an hour, as per reports.
A Positive Meeting
Sources from Iran described the meeting as “positive.” However, neither Trump’s team nor Iran’s UN mission confirmed the meeting. The Iranian mission refused to comment. If confirmed, this meeting could suggest that Trump is open to diplomacy with Iran. This would contrast with the more aggressive approach favored by many Republicans and Israel.
Musk’s Growing Influence
Musk’s involvement in the meeting highlights his growing influence in US foreign policy. He has often been seen alongside Trump, even participating in calls with world leaders. This shows how involved Musk has become in diplomatic matters.
Trump’s Iran Policy Shift
During his first term, Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal. He adopted a “maximum pressure” policy to isolate Iran, including efforts to block Iranian oil sales. Yet, Trump has recently expressed interest in diplomatic talks, despite his support for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Netanyahu has ordered military strikes on Iran while fighting Hamas.
Diplomatic Moves on Iran’s Nuclear Program
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke to the head of the UN nuclear watchdog. He emphasized Iran’s commitment to a “peaceful” nuclear program, seeking to clear any doubts.
Request for Sanctions Exemption
In the meeting, Iran’s ambassador asked Musk to help secure US sanctions exemptions. This would allow Musk to do business in Tehran, according to an Iranian foreign ministry official.
Musk’s Role in Government Efficiency
Trump has also appointed Musk to help improve government efficiency. He will work alongside Vivek Ramaswamy on a new initiative aimed at overhauling the federal bureaucracy. However, some have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Musk’s business ties with the government.
Musk and Ramaswamy have set up a program to recruit top talent for this initiative. They are looking for highly intelligent candidates willing to work long hours on cost-cutting projects. The program encourages applicants to apply via X (formerly Twitter).