The catalytic performance of Ir/WO 3 catalyst has been studied in the reduction of NO with CO in the presence of O 2 and/or SO 2 . The catalyst was active for the selective reduction of NO to N 2 without foreign gases. The conversion of NO to N 2 was further enhanced by the addition of a small amount of O 2 while that to N 2 O was reduced. The N 2 conversion went through a maximum, which depended on the composition of the reacting gaseous mixture (NO and CO). The catalyst was still active at higher O 2 concentrations up to 5%, so this Ir/WO 3 catalyst can be used effectively under lean-burn conditions. The presence of SO 2 (100 ppm) caused a significant deactivation but this negative effect was completely removed by co-existing O 2 . The reaction mechanisms and the effects of co-existing O 2 and SO 2 gases are discussed on the bases of those reaction results, those of the reduction of NO 2 instead of NO, and FTIR measurements of the catalysts after the reactions under various conditions. Possible reaction pathways are proposed, which depend on the concentration of O 2 added in the reaction mixture.