Melania Trump to chair UN Security Council as Iran war escalates

United States' First Lady Melania Trump is slated to chair a UN Security Council meeting on Monday, an appearance that was announced last week before the US launched its war against Iran.

Her office said Melania would "make history at the United Nations, taking the gavel as the United States assumes the Security Council Presidency to emphasise education's role in advancing tolerance and world peace."

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, confirmed Melania's event would mark the first time a first lady – or first gentleman – has presided over a Security Council meeting.

The United States will hold the Council's rotating presidency in March.

US-UN tensions

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 cash-strapped UN's budget.

Since returning to the White House last year, President Trump has withdrawn support from several major UN agencies, such as the World Health Organization.

The UN has recently launched a reform programme, and just a few days ago Washington paid $160 million into the organisation'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.

US-Israel strikes on Iran

A US-Israeli military campaign began on Saturday with a bombing that killed Iran's supreme leader in Tehran.

Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks on countries across the Middle East.