Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, categorically denied a report claiming that the country’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, had met with US tech billionaire Elon Musk.
In an interview with state news agency IRNA on Saturday, Baghaei expressed surprise at the media coverage surrounding the alleged meeting, labeling it “false” and dismissing the speculation as unfounded.
The report, which surfaced on Friday, cited anonymous Iranian sources who claimed that Musk, a prominent ally of President-elect Donald Trump, had met with Iravani earlier in the week. According to the sources, the meeting was described as “positive” and suggested potential discussions between Iran and the US. However, Baghaei strongly refuted these claims, stating that no such meeting had taken place.
Prior to Baghaei’s statement, some Iranian newspapers, particularly those aligned with reformist factions supporting President Masoud Pezeshkian, had reported the meeting in a positive light, fueling further speculation. These reports hinted at a possible thaw in relations between Iran and the West, coinciding with recent signals from Iranian officials indicating a willingness to resolve long-standing issues.
The backdrop to this controversy includes the ongoing strained relationship between Iran and the United States, which severed diplomatic ties in 1979 following the Islamic Revolution that ousted the US-backed Shah. Since then, both countries have communicated through intermediaries, such as the Swiss embassy in Tehran and the Sultanate of Oman, but direct engagement has been limited.
The timing of the alleged meeting also raised eyebrows, as it coincides with the lead-up to the re-election of President Donald Trump. Iranian officials have previously hinted at possible outreach to the US, seeking to address pressing issues ahead of the election, but Baghaei’s denial has now cast doubt on any behind-the-scenes discussions.
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