WASHINGTON –
Iran efficiently sought a gathering with Elon Musk, in line with a U.S. official, one in a sequence of steps that appeared geared toward easing tensions with President-elect Donald Trump.
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani met with Musk — a Trump ally named this week to advise his administration on methods to chop the federal authorities — on Monday in New York, in line with a U.S. official briefed on the assembly by a international colleague.
The official mentioned he had been knowledgeable that the dialogue coated a wide range of subjects, most notably Iran’s nuclear program, its help for anti-Israel teams all through the Center East and prospects for improved relations with america.
The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity to debate a non-U.S. governmental assembly, mentioned no quick selections have been taken by both aspect. The official mentioned the Iranians sought the assembly with Musk, the world’s richest man, and that it didn’t happen on the Iranian mission to the UN
The Trump transition crew wouldn’t verify or deny the assembly, which was first reported by The New York Occasions.
“The American individuals re-elected President Trump as a result of they belief him to steer our nation and restore peace via energy around the globe. When he returns to the White Home, he’ll take the mandatory motion to do exactly that,” Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump transition, mentioned in a press release.
Iran’s UN mission declined to remark.
Iran’s outreach comes as Trump has been asserting picks for key international coverage posts — together with Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state and Rep. Mike Waltz for nationwide safety adviser — who’re anticipated to be powerful on Iran.
Intelligence officers have mentioned Iran opposed Trump’s second time period, seeing him as extra more likely to improve pressure between Washington and Tehran. Trump’s administration ended a nuclear cope with Iran, reimposed sanctions and ordered the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, an act that prompted Iran’s leaders to vow revenge.
The Justice Division this month revealed an Iranian murder-for-hire plot to kill Trump, charging a person who mentioned he had been tasked by an Iranian authorities official in September with planning Trump’s assassination. The Iranian international ministry rejected the report.
The plot was a part of what federal officers have described as ongoing efforts by Iran to focus on U.S. authorities officers, together with Trump, on U.S. soil. Final summer time, for example, the Justice Division charged a Pakistani man with ties to Iran in a murder-for-hire plot focusing on American officers.
In the meantime, The Wall Avenue Journal reported, citing unnamed U.S. officers, that Iran instructed the Biden administration in a written message delivered on Oct. 14 that it will not attempt to kill Trump. It was a response to an earlier warning from the U.S. that an try on Trump’s life could be thought of an act of conflict, the Journal reported.
In response to inquiries about stories within the Journal and different retailers, Iran’s UN mission mentioned it doesn’t situation public statements about “official messages exchanged between the 2 nations.”
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has lengthy declared its dedication to pursuing Martyr Soleimani’s assassination via authorized and judicial avenues, whereas adhering totally to the acknowledged ideas of worldwide legislation,” its assertion mentioned.
Whereas Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has closing say on all issues of state, has repeatedly expressed his personal disgust with Trump, Iran’s new reformist president has stored the door open to talks with Trump to hunt aid from worldwide sanctions.
The Trump transition crew didn’t reply to messages in search of touch upon the Iranian mission’s assertion Friday.
Lederer reported from the United Nations. AP reporter Michelle L. Worth contributed from West Palm Seashore, Florida.
