The internet is circulating claims that the UN Security Council has designated President Donald Trump a wanted war criminal following recent U.S. military strikes on Iran. The posts have accumulated millions of views, but they misrepresent what occurred at the United Nations.
Fake tweet claiming UN Security Council labeled Donald Trump a ‘war criminal’ debunked
A viral X post from March 1 made the claim: “MAJOR UPDATE: DONALD TRUMP HAS JUST BEEN LABELED A ‘WANTED INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMINAL’ BY THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL.” The statement is false. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on February 28, 2026. It was regarding the strikes in Iran, but at no point did the body label any individual a war criminal.
The Security Council convened after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran over the weekend. According to President Trump, the military action began on Saturday and resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with other senior officials. Iran has since launched counterattacks across parts of the Middle East.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the escalating violence during the emergency session. “I condemn today’s military escalation in the Middle East. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security,” Guterres posted on X. “I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability.”
Iran’s Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told the Council that the military action violated the UN Charter, according to UN News. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz defended the strikes as lawful and necessary (via C-Span). Reports indicate that four U.S. service members died in the attacks, and Trump warned that additional casualties could occur. Reuters reported civilian deaths among Iranian casualties as well.
All in all, while lawmakers continue debating the strikes, the claim that the UN Security Council labeled Donald Trump a war criminal remains unfounded.
