The influence of iridium on the reactivity of powder mixtures made of perovskites and 8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (8 YSZ) is reported. Iridium is added to the perovskites of the composition (La0.6M0.4)(z)Fe0.8TM0.2O3-delta (M = Sr, Ca; TM = Mn, Co; z = 0.90, 1.00) via the gaseous phase. Iridium is present in the perovskite lattice as Ir4+ replacing iron as is evident from XRD and TEM/EDX results. Compatibility studies carried out at 1000 degrees C demonstrate that iridium has considerable influence on the reactivity. The results are discussed with respect to the stability of the perovskites, thermodynamic activities, Ir(IV)-O bonding, tolerance factor and oxygen migration.