A video from February 17, 2019, unrelated to the ongoing peace talks, shows Pakistani planes saluting MBS during his visit.
Several users, including PML-N supporters, had been sharing a video on social media platforms since Thursday, claiming it showed Pakistani warplanes escorting an Iranian delegation to Islamabad for talks. However, the video is old and shows Pakistani planes saluting the Saudi Crown Prince’s plane during his visit on February 17, 2019.
Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts paid off as the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Wednesday, following weeks of escalating hostilities triggered by the February 28, 2026, US-Israeli strikes, which quickly escalated into a broader regional conflict.
Pakistan has become a central diplomatic actor in securing the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, actively facilitating communication between the two sides at a critical stage of the conflict. This effort resulted in a two-week ceasefire. Pakistan will now host talks between the two sides on Saturday, with Iranian and American delegations arriving in Islamabad.
How it started
On Thursday, an account repeatedly shared memes about political events based on its past posts common a video on »
The post has been viewed 1.5 million times.
Another user, who according to his X bio is a journalist, common the same video in a similar context with the following caption: “Breaking: Pakistan sends fighter jets and AWACS over Iranian airspace to escort Iranian delegation to Islamabad safely. »
The post garnered 516,000 views.
A pro-Iranian user, based on his profile picture and past posts, common the same video with a similar caption on X. The post has been viewed 267,000 times.
A Palestinian user, according to his bio, common the same video with the following caption: “Breaking: Pakistani warplanes escort Iranian delegation to Pakistan safely. Pakistan has officially joined the war.”
The post attracted 794,000 views.
A person who appears to be a PML-N supporter, based on his past posts, common the same video with a similar caption on X. The post has been viewed 128,000 times on X.
A pro-Israeli account, based on its profile picture and previous post, common the same video on X with the caption: “Nothing illustrates such a victory. Iranian delegation flies to Pakistan for negotiations with Pakistani warplanes as escort.”
The post attracted 362,000 views.
The video was widely shared on several social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagramand X, as we can see here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, hereAnd here; collectively accumulating 220,000 views.
Methodology
A fact check was launched to determine the veracity of this claim due to its virality and intense public interest in the US-Israeli war against Iran, as well as Pakistan’s mediating role.
Some people were observed in the comments sections of the posts as taking issue with the video.
A reverse image search was conducted to trace the origin of the viral video, which yielded the same footage on YouTube, uploaded by Radio Europe Libre/Radio Liberté on February 18, 2019, with the headline: “Pakistani fighters escort Saudi crown prince to Islamabad.”
According to the description, Pakistan sent fighter jets to welcome the plane of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) ahead of a high-profile visit on February 17, 2019.
A keyword search conducted during the visit yielded the same video in a similar context, which was shared by the then prime minister. Imran Khan on his Facebook profile, then party in power, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafthe X dated February 17, 2019.
A keyword search of relevant news reports revealed that Dawnin a report titled ‘Saudi Crown Prince arrives in Pakistan with fanfare, received by PM Khan on red carpet’, said a formation of JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets escorted the Saudi royal jet after it entered Pakistani airspace.
Meanwhile, no reports from local Pakistani, Iranian or international media have confirmed that Pakistani warplanes escorted an Iranian delegation for the Islamabad talks.
However, several users and journalists shared radar images of the flight claiming that the Pakistan Air Force did it.
Fact Check Status: Misleading
The claim that a viral video shows Pakistani warplanes escorting an Iranian delegation for the Islamabad talks is false. misleading.
The video is from February 17, 2019 and shows Pakistani planes saluting MBS during his visit.
This fact check was originally published by iVerify Pakistan – a project of CEJ-IBA and UNDP.
