Fact check: Viral image of Saudi defence minister kissing Iranian president's hand is doctored

The meeting focused on regional security, the consequences of US-Israeli attacks on Iran and efforts to de-escalate tensions. Iranian officials said the four countries agreed to continue talks on regional peace and security, while Saudi Arabia said the visit aimed to promote dialogue and support mediation efforts by Qatar and Pakistan.

How it started. The i. Verify Pakistan team was requested to fact-check the image by a media partner; upon investigation, the virality of the claim was as follows:On October 26, a Houthi supporter, based on their past posts, sharedan image on X allegedly showing Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman kissing the hand of the Iranian president.

The post gained 63,000 views. A pro-PTI user alsosharedthe same image in a similar context with the following caption: “In fact, this is the path to peace. Come to Tehran and pledge allegiance.

Welcome, my beloved.”The post attracted 27,000 views on XSeveral other pro-Houthi accounts further reposted the same image on. Facebookand X, as seenhere, here, here, here, hereandhere.

MethodologyA fact-check was initiated to determine the veracity of the image to satisfy the media partner’s request seeking authentication for the claim and keen public interest in Saudi-Iran relations amid the conflict in the Middle East.

A keyword search was conducted to determine whether any credible Saudi, Iranian, or international media outlets had published the image or reported on an incident in which the Saudi defence minister allegedly kissed the Iranian president’s hand, but yielded no reports.

Investigating the image also found several visual discrepancies, such as deformities around the Saudi official’s fingers and hand as he kisses the Iranian president’s hand.

There were also slight deformities and distortions on the Iranian president’s cheek and neck as well, hinting that the image was likely edited through AI.The image was then analysed using multiple AI-detection tools to assess whether it had been artificially generated or manipulated. Hive Detect reported a 99% likelihood of AI generation, while DeepAI and Truth.

Scan also indicated a 90% likelihood that the image was edited using AI.A reverse image search of the viral photo yielded an. Arab Newsreport covering the funeral procession of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 3, 2026.

The report stated that Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El Khereiji attended the ceremony, where he met Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian. The featured image in the. Arab Newsreport shows a strong resemblance to the viral photo, with the same background and the officials wearing similar attire.

However, a comparison of the two images reveals a key difference. The viral image depicts the Saudi official kissing the Iranian president’s hand, whereas the original image shows him simply shaking hands with the president.

The same report, featuring the same image, was also published by Saudi news outlet. Saudi Gazetteand the official. Saudi Press Agency.

Fact-check status: falseA claim that a viral image shows the Saudi defence minister kissing the hand of the Iranian president isfalse. The image is edited using AI and the older original picture does not even feature the Saudi defence minister.

This fact check was originally published byi. Verify Pakistan—a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.