The invitation for Iran to participate in talks on the Syrian conflict has been withdrawn by the UN after the Syrian opposition said it would withdraw from the conference in protest.
The Syrian National Coalition said that without Iran accepting that Bashar al-Assad needed to step down in order for the conflict to be resolved, no negotiations could be held with the country, which is arming Syrian troops and participating in the fighting.
Martin Nesirky, UN spokesperson, said that Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had initially invited Iran after officials assured him that they supported the basis and goal of the conference, after which Tehran issued several statements, rejecting any conditions on its attendance.
"Given that it has chosen to remain outside that basic understanding, he has decided that the one-day Montreux gathering will proceed without Iran's participation." Nesirky said.
Meanwhile Iran has curbed its enrichment of uranium, which will see an easing of international sanctions.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday that Iran had ceased enrichment of uranium at the Natanz and Fordo facilities.
The US and the EU have lifted some sanctions on Tehran in response, however most of the sanctions will remain in force.