UN: Ban had only 'oral understanding' with Iran

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — A spokesman for Ban Ki-moon says the U.N. chief believed he had reached an “oral understanding” with Iran’s foreign minister before inviting Iran to this week’s Syria peace talks.

Ban withdrew the invitation Monday, saying he was “disappointed” that Iran’s public statements differed from its private assurances on the terms of its attendance at the talks — that Iran would endorse the goal of preparing a transitional government for Syria.