Musk's diplomatic move: Potential thaw in US‑Iran relations
Billionaire and advisor to the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, met with Iran's ambassador to the UN on November 11, reports the "New York Times" daily. The discussion focused on easing tensions between the countries.
The Iranians reported that Musk's conversation with Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani lasted over an hour. The location of the meeting was not disclosed. According to the Iranian side, the meeting was "positive" and brought "good news."
The meeting was reportedly sought by Elon Musk himself. One of the Iranian officials conveyed that during the meeting, the ambassador suggested to Musk that the United States lift the sanctions imposed on Iran. There was also a proposal for the billionaire to move some of his factories to Tehran.
Trump, Musk, and the spokesperson for the new U.S. president have not commented on the reports. In the opinion of the "New York Times," the American journal, "An early direct meeting between a senior Iranian official and Mr. Musk raises the possibility of a change in tone between Tehran and Washington under the Trump administration, despite a charged history between the president-elect and Iran. One of the Iranian officials said that it was Mr. Musk who had requested the meeting and that the ambassador picked the site."
During his first presidential term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the nuclear agreement, which was reached in 2015 between Iran and global powers. He called it a "horrible one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made." The then-administration imposed harsh economic sanctions on income from Iranian oil sales and international banking transactions.
In 2020, Trump ordered the assassination of top Iranian politician Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the elite Quds Force. In response to Trump's policy, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, introduced a ban on any negotiations with the American administration. Iranian politicians also promised revenge for Soleimani's assassination.
Last week, U.S. federal prosecutors reported that Iran planned to assassinate Trump before the U.S. presidential elections. "NYT" reminded that Musk, the wealthiest man on Earth, has become one of the most influential figures in Trump's circle. In recent days, he has participated in almost every critical conversation conducted by the president-elect, including with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump will assume the U.S. presidency at the end of January 2025. Musk is set to oversee the state efficiency department and be responsible for dismantling bureaucracy and cutting expenditures.
