Iranian Official Meets Elon Musk to Ease Tensions with Trump

Elon Musk speaks after President-elect Donald Trump spoke during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

On Monday, Iran’s U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani met with Musk—an ally of Trump who was recently appointed to advise the incoming administration on federal budget cuts—in New York. The meeting, which was not held at the Iranian U.N. mission, is seen as part of Iran's outreach to influential American figures as it looks to recalibrate its relationship with the incoming U.S. administration.

The U.S. official, who requested anonymity, indicated that the talks covered several key topics, most notably Iran's nuclear program, its support for anti-Israel groups in the Middle East, and the potential for improved diplomatic relations with the United States. However, no major decisions were made during the meeting.

The Trump transition team declined to confirm or deny the encounter, which was first reported by The New York Times. A spokesperson for the transition, Karoline Leavitt, stated, "The American people re-elected President Trump because they trust him to lead our country and restore peace through strength around the world." She reiterated that Trump would "take the necessary action to do just that" upon returning to office.

Meanwhile, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency denied that Ambassador Iravani had met with Musk, expressing surprise at the media attention the meeting had garnered in the U.S.

This outreach from Iran comes as President Trump announces key foreign policy appointments, including Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and Rep. Mike Waltz for National Security Adviser—both of whom have been critical of Iran. Intelligence officials have suggested that Iran’s leadership views Trump’s second term as a continuation of aggressive policies that will escalate tensions, including the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, the re-imposition of sanctions, and the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in January 2020.

In response to ongoing tensions, U.S. authorities this month revealed an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, allegedly orchestrated by an Iranian official. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denied the accusations, rejecting the U.S. claims as politically motivated.

At the same time, The Wall Street Journal reported that in October, Iran conveyed a message to the Biden administration, assuring that it would not attempt to harm Trump. This was in response to U.S. warnings that any such attempt would be considered an act of war. However, Iran’s U.N. mission has declined to comment on the specifics of these communications.

Despite harsh rhetoric from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has condemned Trump personally, the country’s newly elected reformist president has left the door open for potential talks with the U.S., hoping to ease the burden of international sanctions.

The Trump transition team has not responded to requests for comment on Iran's statement regarding the meeting with Musk.