Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, reportedly met with Iran's ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, in a bid to help defuse tensions between Tehran and Washington. The meeting took place at a secret location and lasted more than an hour, with Iranian sources describing it as "positive." While neither the Trump transition team nor Iran's mission to the UN confirmed the encounter, the meeting, if verified, could indicate that President-elect Donald Trump may be considering diplomatic engagement with Iran, contrasting with the more hawkish stance favored by many conservatives and Israel. 

Musk's meeting with the Iranian ambassador also highlighted his growing influence, as he has been a consistent presence in Trump's circle, reportedly participating in phone calls with world leaders. In addition to foreign policy discussions, Musk is part of a new initiative under Trump called the "Department of Government Efficiency," aimed at overhauling the federal bureaucracy. This has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Musk’s business dealings with the government.