Did Qatar PM Snub Vance? Video From Iran Talks In Switzerland Leaves US Vice President In Spotlight

Last Updated:June 22, 2026, 09:14 IST

A clip from Switzerland talks showing Qatar's PM greeting Shehbaz Sharif before JD Vance has gone viral, fuelling online debate over an apparent diplomatic slight.

A video from the latest round of US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland is widely being shared on social media, triggering widespread discussion over what many users have interpreted as an awkward diplomatic moment involving Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, US Vice President JD Vance and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The clip, which has been shared extensively on X, appears to show the Qatari premier greeting Sharif while Vance stands nearby.

In the footage, Sheikh Mohammed approaches the gathering and exchanges greetings with the Pakistani Prime Minister, while the US Vice President is left momentarily waiting.

Several users on social media described the interaction as a diplomatic snub, with posts claiming that the Qatari leader ignored Vance in favour of greeting Sharif first.

However, none of the governments involved in the meeting have publicly characterised the incident as a slight, and no official statement has been issued regarding the viral clip.

The footage surfaced from a high-level quadrilateral meeting involving the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar at the Burgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.

The gathering was part of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing a framework to end the conflict in the Middle East.

The meeting brought together senior officials from Washington and Tehran for a new round of negotiations after the two sides agreed to a preliminary deal last week that established a two-month negotiating process.

The American delegation was led by Vance, while Iran was represented by parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. Pakistan and Qatar participated as mediators in the talks.

POSITIVE PROGRESS REPORTED BY MEDIATORS

Despite tensions surrounding the conflict, mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the discussions were held in a “positive and constructive atmosphere."

According to AFP, the mediators announced that “encouraging progress has been made, including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks."

They also revealed the establishment of a communications channel intended to “avoid incidents and miscommunication" in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.

In addition, a “de-confliction cell" involving the negotiating parties and Lebanese authorities has been set up to help prevent renewed fighting in Lebanon.

Technical-level discussions are expected to continue at the Swiss resort throughout the week.

The negotiations come against the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East that intensified following joint US and Israeli military action against Iran earlier this year.

Iran had effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the attacks, while clashes involving Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel expanded the conflict into Lebanon.

Following the latest round of talks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised the mediation efforts by Pakistan and Qatar.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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