In a head-scratching move, the Tehran Symphony Orchestra was blocked from performing in Tehran 15 minutes before a scheduled performance due to its female musicians.
All set to play Iran's national anthem at the World Wrestling Clubs Cup on Thursday, the orchestra's conductor, Ali Rahbari, was informed the female musicians would not be allowed to perform.
"The chairs were laid out and everything looked fine," Rahbari said, according to the AFP .
"But before performing the national anthem, all of a sudden they announced women cannot play on stage."
It seems the organizers suggested the orchestra continue the performance without the women but Rahbari wouldn't have it.
"I was offended and said it was impossible for me to accept such an insult," he said.
"They invited us themselves and yet they disrespected us. Why shouldn't they be allowed to perform the national anthem of their country?"
Despite his protests, the organizers remained firm saying, "It's absolutely impossible for women to play musical instruments on stage", according to Rahbari.
Although women are barred from singing solo in Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and female musicians have complained of being hindered from performing instruments publicly, this marks the first time the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest in Iran founded in 1933, has been blocked due to female musicians.
The action also goes against the opinion of Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, who has previously stated that musicians and artists with the proper permits should not be hindered from performing. Despite his opinion, many concerts have continued to be canceled without explanation.