U.S. First Lady Melania Trump chaired a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday focusing on children and education in conflict, marking the first time a spouse of a serving world leader has presided over the 15-member body tasked with global peace and security.
The meeting, titled “Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict,” came just two days after U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting warnings from the U.N. about the safety of children in the region.
Lynn Martin, President of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), listens while U.S. first lady Melania Trump presides over a United Nations Security Council meeting, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
Melania Trump’s office said the aim was to emphasize the role of education in advancing tolerance and world peace. Speaking to the council, she stated: “The U.S. stands with all of the children throughout the world. I hope soon peace will be yours.”
The session drew sharp reactions from Iran, whose U.N. envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned the U.S. for convening the meeting while carrying out military strikes. Iran claims a girls’ primary school in Minab was hit over the weekend, reportedly killing 165 schoolgirls—though Reuters could not independently verify these reports. Iravani called the U.S. action “deeply shameful and hypocritical.”
UNICEF also issued a statement highlighting the heightened danger to millions of children amid the Middle East escalation, echoing calls by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
At the meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters the U.S. “will not deliberately target a school,” while Israel’s U.N. ambassador noted conflicting reports regarding the incident and expressed regret over any civilian casualties. China’s U.N. ambassador, Fu Cong, stressed that attacks on schools constitute grave violations against children, urging robust investigations and accountability.
Lynn Martin, President of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), listens while U.S. first lady Melania Trump presides over a United Nations Security Council meeting, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
The meeting comes amid growing scrutiny of the Trump administration’s approach to the U.N., with President Trump having been a long-time critic of the organization’s effectiveness. The U.S. remains billions of dollars behind in contributions to the U.N. budget, though Melania Trump’s role highlights the administration’s stated interest in Security Council matters, particularly regarding children in conflict zones.
The first lady has previously championed children’s causes, including writing to Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2025 requesting the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia during the war. Her chairing of Monday’s session underscores her continued advocacy for child welfare on the international stage.
