On November 17, 2024, Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected reports from US media regarding a meeting between Iran's permanent representative to the UN, Saeed Shiravani, and Elon Musk, an advisor to President-elect Donald Trump, in New York earlier this week.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei stated, "The meeting between Elon Musk and the Iranian representative in New York is denied," expressing surprise over the media reports.
The New York Times reported on November 14 that Musk, who is set to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency in the upcoming Trump administration, met with the Iranian ambassador to the UN to ease bilateral tensions.
Citing two anonymous Iranian officials, the newspaper detailed that the secret meeting lasted over an hour and aimed to assess ways to de-escalate relations between the two nations. The sources described the meeting as "positive" and "good news," noting that Musk initiated the encounter and the Iranian diplomat chose the location.
The US side has not yet commented on the matter, but it has sparked debate in Iran between hardliners and reformists. The ultraconservative newspaper Keyhan criticized the reformist faction advocating for improved relations with the West, including the US, suggesting that they wish for Iran to appear as the accused at the negotiation table.
Conversely, the reformist-aligned newspaper Jomhourie Eslami welcomed the discussions with Washington, indicating they could mark the beginning of a new path in Iran's foreign policy. The article emphasized that the Iranian government has signaled a desire to reduce tensions with the US.
President Masud Pezeshkian, who took office in July with a message of rapprochement towards the West, faces challenges due to events such as the war in Gaza and conflicts with Israel, limiting his opportunities. Furthermore, the president's authority in foreign policy is constrained by the supreme leader, who holds significant power in state matters.