26 June 2007 |
 |
| Iranian gasoline trucks |
Angry Iranians have attacked fuel stations in Tehran, as the government introduced a plan Wednesday to ration gasoline use by motorists.
Witnesses say flames rose from one fuel station as cars burned. Protesters threw stones and shouted angry slogans denouncing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Riot police gathered in the area and tried to disperse the demonstrators.
The rationing plan took affect at midnight Tuesday.
Iran must import about 40 percent of the fuel because it lacks refining capacity. Gasoline, whether imported or domestically produced, is heavily subsidized.
The gasoline rationing plan is aimed at reducing fuel imports and government subsidies.
The plan dictates that private cars unable to use compressed natural gas will receive 100 liters of gasoline per month. Vehicles that can burn compressed natural gas will get much less.
Iran's recent gasoline price increase of 25 percent left the price of fuel at about 10 cents per liter, still some of the cheapest in the world.
Source: