This is the most awkward last-minute invite. The United Nations has extended an invitation to Iran to attend to the peace conference on Syria, despite the fact that Western powers said Iran would not be welcome unless it backed a transitional government for Syria. With Syrian President Bashar al-Assad threatening to seek re-election, any diplomatic efforts for him to step down are effectively ruined. The Syrian Coalition, Assad's main political opposition, had threatned to withdraw, but says it will attend, despite the increased tensions.
