Elon Musk meets with Iranian UN ambassador to ease tensions

NEW YORK: Billionaire and adviser to United States (US) President-elect, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, held a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Amir Saeid Iravani in New York, US.

Two Iranian officials described the meeting as an effort to deescalate tensions between Iran and the United States.

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The meeting reportedly lasted over an hour and took place at a confidential location. Several media outlets reported that Musk reached out for a meeting, while the Iranian envoy chose the location.

According to reports, officials requesting anonymity described the discussion  as “positive” and indicative of “good news”.

Meanwhile, Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, declined to comment on the meeting. Musk, similarly, did not respond to requests from any media outlet.

The Tesla owner has emerged as a prominent figure in Trump’s inner circle after helping the latter win the US general election. Musk reportedly spent over a million dollar per day to promote Trump.

His purchase of prominent social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), also helped the right-leaning side capture the US election by a wide margin.

Musk also recently spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after Trump reportedly handed him the phone while on call with the Ukrainian head of state.

Meanwhile, Musk has also been in continuous contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who requested the billionaire not to activate Starlink satellites over Taiwan as a personal favour to Chinese premiere, Xi Jingping.  

Starlink is a cluster of satellites owned by Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX, providing internet to world’s most remote regions.

Trump administration is set to create “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)”, that will be led by Elon Musk. He will, however, not be direct part of US government. Doge is also the name of Musk’s cryptocurrency, which rose to record levels following Trump’s reelection.

Musk, it seems, has decided to tackle Iran now. The direct meeting between the billionaire and the Iranian ambassador suggests a potential shift in the dynamics between Tehran and Washington.

However, time will tell how helpful a single meeting would be. During his first presidency, Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, stating that he would move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Similarly, Trump pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. Under Obama administration, the US agreed to ease sanctions on Iran in exchange for the latter giving up its nuclear programme.

Once Trump was elected to the White House, he reinstated crippling sanctions on Iran. The Middle Eastern nation is now reportedly closer to weapons-grade levels of uranium enrichment (60 per cent).

Trump also ordered the assassination of Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani. The Iranian government refused to further negotiate with Trump administration following the killing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officer.

Iran reportedly also meddled in US general election, with the Middle Eastern nation even accused of planning to assassinate Trump.

However, an economically crippled Iran desperately needs lifting of sanctions as it faces internal discord, as well. Experts suggest Iran is now open to the possibility of negotiating a new agreement with the US.

While there are reports of Iranian President’s, Masoud Pezeshkian, inner circle advocating for peace talks with the US, the conservative factions within Iranian elite might not be so keen.

The Iranian president also cannot make any decision on his own, as he needs prior approval of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump’s support of Israel, especially its recognition of Jerusalem as the latter’s capital, makes negotiation harder.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister’s, Abbas Aragchi, statement hints at Iran being open to a possible negotiation. Aragchi stated on social media that “differences can be resolved through cooperation and dialogue”.

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While the Iranian ambassador to the UN declined to comment, the envoy reportedly invited Elon Musk to invest in Tehran and requested the billionaire seek exemption for sanctions from the US Treasury on the cash-strapped nation.