Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX and a key adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, reportedly met with Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, in New York on Monday.

According to the New York Times, sources within the Iranian government said the discussion aimed to ease tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

The meeting, which took place at a secret location, lasted over an hour and was described as “positive” by Iranian officials who spoke anonymously, the report said.

The timing of the meeting is notable, with U.S.-Iran relations remaining strained over issues such as the West Asian country’s nuclear programme and regional conflicts.

Mr Musk’s involvement, while unexpected, may signal an effort to explore non-traditional diplomatic channels ahead of Mr Trump’s upcoming return to the presidency in January.

This news comes as Mr Trump prepares to reshape U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, with Iran being one of the administration’s most significant challenges.

Steven Cheung, communications director for Mr Trump, declined to confirm or deny the meeting when approached by the New York Times, stating, “We do not comment on reports of private meetings, whether they occurred or not.”

The meeting also highlights Mr Musk’s growing influence in political circles.

Known for his business acumen and innovations in the tech world, Mr Musk has frequently intersected with government policy, particularly in space exploration and green energy.

While it’s unclear what was agreed upon in the meeting between Messrs Musk and Iravani, it’s uncertain whether the businessman’s involvement will have a lasting impact on U.S.-Iran relations or if it will just be an unusual moment in their diplomatic history.