The Japan Times - 'Thank you, madam president': Melania Trump leads UN Security Council as Iran war rages

Ambassadors from all of the Security Council's members, including Washington's rivals Russia and China, lined up to meet with Trump, representing the US as it takes over the monthly rotating presidency of the Security Council.

She opened the meeting with a strike of a ceremonial gavel before thanking Britain for its month-long presidency, and spoke again later apparently to honor US service members killed in the war on Iran.

"To the families who have lost their heroes who sacrifice their lives for freedom, their bravery and dedication will always be remembered," she said before the packed chamber.

"Enduring peace will be achieved when knowledge and understanding are fully valued within all our societies," she added. "Societies ruled by knowledge and wisdom are therefore more peaceful."

Ahead of the meeting, Iran's ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani said "it is deeply shameful and hypocritical that on the very first day of its presidency of the Security Council, the United States convened a high-level meeting on protecting children."

Moments later the First Lady said "the US stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon peace will be yours" -- without referring directly to the attacks across the Middle East.

She was warmly received by the countries represented in the Council however, with Greece's ambassador Aglaia Balta saying "thank you madam president," while France's envoy compared her to the celebrated former first lady and activist Eleanor Roosevelt.

- Financial, political tensions -

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, confirmed that Melania Trump's appearance was the first time a first lady -- or first gentleman -- has presided a Security Council meeting.

The United States holds the Council's rotating presidency for March.

President Donald Trump's third wife has dabbled in diplomacy before, notably working to try to secure the release of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, paid tribute to her "for her work to give visibility to the issue of children in conflict, and particularly for her personal engagement to reunite Ukrainian children with their families."

Political and financial tensions have mounted between the United States and the United Nations in recent years, with Washington chafing at its role as the main contributor to the body's cash-strapped budget.

Many observers say the US president intends to bypass the Security Council with his new "Board of Peace," which held its inaugural session in Washington last month, with several countries pledging funds and personnel to rebuild Gaza.

At the meeting, Trump repeated his stance that the UN had failed in its mission.

Since returning to the White House last year, he has withdrawn support from several major UN agencies, including the World Health Organization.

The world body has recently launched a reform program, and a few days ago Washington paid $160 million into the organization's regular budget -- after paying nothing in 2025.

But the United States is still $4 billion in arrears to the UN for its regular budget and its peacekeeping budget, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning of imminent financial collapse.

K.Nakajima--JT