Secret Meeting Between Elon Musk and Iran Diplomat Sparks Speculation on Trump’s Return
New York: In a surprising turn of events, a senior Iranian diplomat recently held a secret meeting with Elon Musk, a key adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, raising questions about Iran’s possible preparations for a potential return of Trump to the White House. According to CBS News, Musk, who has gained prominence as an informal negotiator between major world powers, met with Iran’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, at his New York residence.
The details surrounding the meeting remain unclear, particularly whether key figures in Trump’s circle, like Marco Rubio (nominee for Secretary of State) and Mike Walz (nominee for National Security Advisor), were aware of the discussion. Both Rubio and Walz are known for their strong opposition to Iran.
The New York Times reported that two Iranian officials described the meeting as “positive,” with one even hinting at “good news.” Musk, who has previously been in touch with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has emerged as a potential behind-the-scenes figure in facilitating diplomacy, especially given Trump’s promises to end the Middle East and Ukraine conflicts.
This secretive dialogue may also be part of a broader effort by Iran to open back-channel communications with Trump after the breakdown in relations during his first term. Trump’s decision to order the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020 led to a severe deterioration of US-Iran ties, and Tehran’s direct negotiations with Washington came to a halt. In response, Iran’s proxies have ramped up activity across the region.
The conversation surrounding this meeting gains further significance in light of Trump’s decision to unilaterally withdraw the US from the Iran nuclear deal, a move that worsened tensions in the region. The nuclear agreement had been negotiated under the Obama administration with the aim of curbing Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the easing of international sanctions.
Iran has expressed concern about an escalated conflict if Trump returns to power, particularly given his aggressive stance towards the Islamic Republic during his presidency. Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s future press secretary, stated cryptically, “The American people re-elected President Trump because they trust him to lead our country and restore peace through strength around the world. When he returns to the White House, he will take the necessary action to do just that.”
In addition, reports surfaced that Tehran sent a formal message to the Biden administration through Switzerland (which handles diplomatic relations between the two nations) assuring that Iran was not planning to assassinate President-elect Trump. This assurance came after US officials warned Iran that any such action would be considered an “act of war.” The message was reportedly a response to an ongoing investigation into a plot by Iranian operatives, involving two men arrested last week for allegedly conspiring to kill Trump with the assistance of an Afghan intermediary linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran’s official stance remains that it is committed to pursuing justice for Soleimani’s death through legal means, adhering to international law. The Islamic Republic has also made it clear that the assassination attempts against Trump are not part of its official policy, though the threat from various factions linked to Iran continues to cause alarm in the US.
