Author: Shameneh Majid
Claim: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tried to kiss his former teacher’s hand during his visit to Pakistan as a sign of respect.
Fact: The video is from an event at Tabriz University, in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran.
The video was posted by @positivepakistan.pk_on Instagram with the following embedded text: “Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi shows respect by trying to kiss hand of former teacher in Pakistan.”
The post’s caption further states:
“Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the same man who has strongly challenged the United States and Israel, showed a very different side in Pakistan. Upon meeting his former teacher there, he tried to kiss the teacher’s hand as a sign of deep respect. This simple act touched many people. It shows that true civilization is not in the West, but in the East. Respect for elders and teachers is a core value in Eastern culture. No matter how powerful a person becomes, they never forget those who taught them. This moment reminds the world that strength and humility can go together. East knows how to honor its roots.”
Screenshot of the Instagram video from Positive Pakistan’s page showing Araghchi meeting his former teacher.
In the seconds-long clip, Araghchi can be seen standing on stage, bowing toward his former teacher and trying to kiss his hand while the teacher pulls it away.
Fact or Fiction?
Soch Fact Check found the claim to be false since the video is not actually from his recent visit to Pakistan in April 2026. No credible source could place the video in any public sighting in Pakistan during Araghchi’s visit to the capital for negotiations with US delegations.
However, Iranian state-controlled media page @presstv.highlights shared the original video on November 8, 2025, which, based on our findings and reverse searches online, was the earliest instance of it online. It was posted with the following caption:
“During his visit to Tabriz University, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi tried to kiss his former professor’s hand — a deeply rooted gesture of respect in Iran’s ancient culture. The professor humbly pulled his hand back, creating a moment that went viral as a touching display of mutual respect and humility.”
According to the caption , this clip is from a public event at a university in Iran, not Pakistan, especially in light of the date it was originally posted.
Therefore, Soch Fact Check rates the claim as false.
Virality
The claim appeared on Instagram here, here, here, and here.
It appeared on Facebook here, here, here, here, and here. It was shared on X here and here.
Conclusion:
The claim is false. The video of Iranian FM Araghchi kissing his former teacher’s hand is not from his visit to Pakistan.
Background images in cover photo: The Diplomatic Insight
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