The Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s annual summit, touted as an alternative to NATO and the G20, wound down Tuesday in the Chinese city of Tianjin. An image of Chinese President Xi Jinping holding hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi captured the essence of the new world order they seek to establish — one in which they, not America, are in the driver’s seat. Yet it was another image that drew more attention: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan clutching the hand and arm of his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran's Mehr News Agency highlighted the “friendly” encounter — even zooming in on the presidential limbs  — in the red-carpeted conference hallway, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan beaming approvingly.

Other Iranian outlets also published the video, sending the message that despite Tehran’s growing isolation in the wake of its 12-day war with Israel, Turkey fully stands by its neighbor and historic rival, Iran. 

Not everyone was convinced. Turkish X users opined that Erdogan was clinging to Pezeshkian to steady himself. The 71-year-old Turkish president has trouble walking and wears custom-made shoes to keep his balance. Some suggested the pair had romantic feelings for each other. Israeli accounts spouted fury at the scene, with one calling for both to be “taken out." “Kick Turkey out of NATO,” another screeched. Italian blogger Dario D’Angelo said Erdogan’s “vise” had struck again, recalling that “the Sultan” had similarly grasped French President Emmanuel Macron’s pinky at a European summit in Albania in May.