Viral image of Saudi defence minister kissing Iranian president's hand is AI-manipulated

Verify Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, Khalid bin Salman, misinformation, social media, regional diplomacyISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – A viral image purportedly showing Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman kissing the hand of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during a meeting in Tehran has been found to be manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI), -check by i. Verify Pakistan.

The image began circulating on Facebook and X on October 26, amid a meeting involving senior security officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye with the Iranian president.

Several social media accounts shared the image, presenting it as evidence of an unusual diplomatic gesture., the viral image was shared by multiple accounts, including users whose previous posts indicated support for the Houthi movement. One post on X received approximately 63,000 views, while another shared by a pro-PTI user attracted around 27,000 views.

Original photograph reveals alterationA reverse image search traced the viral image to an Arab News report published about the funeral procession of assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on July 3, 2026. The report said Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El Khereiji attended the ceremony and met Iranian officials, including President Pezeshkian.

The photograph accompanying the report closely resembles the viral image, featuring a similar background and officials wearing comparable attire. However, the original photograph shows the Saudi official shaking hands with the Iranian president, rather than kissing his hand.

AI analysis identifies inconsistencies. The fact-check identified visual irregularities around the Saudi official’s fingers and hand, as well as distortions around the Iranian president’s cheek and neck., several AI-detection tools also indicated that the image had been artificially generated or manipulated.

Hive Detect assessed the likelihood of AI generation at 99 per cent, while DeepAI and Truth. Scan indicated a 90 per cent likelihood of AI editing. The fact-check also found no credible reports from Saudi, Iranian or international media confirming the alleged hand-kissing incident.

The image circulated amid regional diplomatic engagement, with Iranian officials hosting senior security representatives from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye on October 26. President Pezeshkian called for greater unity and cooperation among Islamic countries, while discussions focused on regional security, the consequences of US-Israeli attacks on Iran and efforts to reduce tensions.

The manipulated image illustrates how altered visual content can be circulated online in a political context and mistaken for evidence of an event that did not occur as depicted.