Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and close friend of elected President Donald Trump, recently met privately with Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, in New York. Citing Iranian officials.
The New York Times reported that the secret meeting lasted over an hour and focused on ways to ease tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Neither Musk nor Trump’s team has commented, and Iran’s UN mission declined to confirm the details. On the other side, Biden administration officials, unaware of the meeting, have not yet received independent confirmation it occurred.
The reported meeting comes amid heightened speculation that Trump’s return to office could mean a revival of his ‘maximum pressure’ strategy on Iran. This policy, enforced during his previous presidency, severely restricted Iran’s economy and increased its isolation. Since Trump left office, however, Iran has expanded uranium enrichment, increased oil exports, and directly struck Israel twice, signaling a shift in its regional stance.
Musk’s influence in foreign policy is raising eyebrows, as he recently joined Trump on a post-election call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump had placed the call on speakerphone, allowing Zelensky to thank Musk for Starlink’s support in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia.
Adding to this interest , Trump announced Musk and famous entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency.” Musk’s history of federal contracts, including with NASA and the U.S. military, is prompting concerns over potential conflicts of interest. This department’s role in Trump’s administration remains uncertain, especially as questions of Congressional approval loom.
