Iranian Official Meets Musk in a Possible Step to Ease Tensions with Trump

Washington: Iran successfully sought a meeting with Elon Musk, according to a US official, one in a series of steps that appeared aimed at easing tensions with President-elect Donald Trump.

Iran's UN Ambassor Amir Saeid Iravani met with Musk a Trump ally named this week to vise his ministration on ways to cut federal government — on Monday in New York, according to a US official briefed on meeting by a foreign colleague.

official said he h been informed that discussion covered a variety of topics, most notably Iran's nuclear program, its support for anti-Israel groups throughout Middle East and prospects for improved relations with United States.

official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a non-US governmental meeting, said no immediate decisions were taken by eir side. official said Iranians sought meeting with Musk, world's richest man, and that it did not take place at Iranian mission to UN.

Trump transition team would not confirm or deny meeting, which was first reported by New York Times.

“ American people re-elected President Trump because y trust him to le our country and restore peace through strength around world. When he returns to White House, he will take necessary action to do just that,” Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump transition, said in a statement.

Iran's UN mission declined to comment.

Iran's outreach comes as Trump has been announcing picks for key foreign policy posts — including Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state and Rep. Mike Waltz for national security viser — who are expected to be tough on Iran.

Intelligence officials have said Iran opposed Trump's second term, seeing him as more likely to increase tension between Washington and Tehran. Trump's ministration ended a nuclear deal with Iran, reimposed sanctions and ordered killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, an act that prompted Iran's leers to vow revenge.

Justice Department this month revealed an Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill Trump, charging a man who said he h been tasked by an Iranian government official in September with planning Trump's assassination. Iranian foreign ministry rejected report.

plot was part of what federal officials have described as ongoing efforts by Iran to target US government officials, including Trump, on US soil. Last summer, for instance, Justice Department charged a Pakistani man with ties to Iran in a murder-for-hire plot targeting American officials.

Meanwhile, Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed US officials, that Iran told Biden ministration in a written message delivered on October 14 that it would not try to kill Trump. It was a response to an earlier warning from US that an attempt on Trump's life would be considered an act of war, Journal reported.

In response to inquiries about reports in Journal and or outlets, Iran's UN mission said it does not issue public statements about “official messages exchanged between two countries.” " Islamic Republic of Iran has long declared its commitment to pursuing Martyr Soleimani's assassination through legal and judicial avenues, while hering fully to recognized principles of international law,” its statement said.

While Supreme Leer Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all matters of state, has repeatedly expressed his own disgust with Trump, Iran's new reformist president has kept door open to talks with Trump to seek relief from international sanctions.

Trump transition team did not respond to messages seeking comment on Iranian mission's statement Friday.