In the space of a day, the ongoing talks to settle the Syrian civil war were roiled by the extension and subsequent rescinding of an invitation to Iran to participate in a new round of peace talks to be held this week in Switzerland. Iran’s participation was announced by UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon on Sunday, with the assurance that Iran was now committed to the precondition that a transitional government be formed to replace the regime of Bashar al-Assad. But on Monday, Iran responded that “we do not accept any precondition to take part,” leading to the invitation being revoked. To do otherwise would have jeopardized the participation of Syrian rebels, who reluctantly agreed to talks provided Iran doesn’t take part.

Syria has been caught over the last three years in a proxy war between Iran, which supports al-Assad, and Saudi Arabia, which has given financial backing to rebel groups attempting to oust the Syrian leader. Over 100,000 have perished as a result of the ongoing strife.

While the United States is a participant in the proceedings, the Obama administration’s surprised reaction at the invitation to Iran was rebutted by the UN assertion that the White House had been “kept completely in the loop.” But the task of John Kerry’s State Department seems to be that of walking on eggshells, trying not to affect simultaneous negotiations with Iran over their nuclear ambitions while talking out the Syrian situation. Iran is also participating in the World Economic Forum in nearby Davos, Switzerland, where they are trying to attract foreign investment in light of reduced sanctions on the country, and there is a possibility Kerry may meet there with Iranian President Hasan Rouhani.

With all the confusion over the Syrian situation, we’d like to hope Kerry doesn’t make the problem worse, but let’s be realistic – it is John Kerry.