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June 27, 2007

Iran's Gas Rationing 'Sparks' Violence

Topics: Iran

The BBC and other media are reporting that at least a dozen gas stations have been torched in Tehran, following the government announcement of fuel rationing for private vehicles:

[...] Windows were smashed and stones thrown at the stations, and there was traffic chaos as motorists queued to buy fuel.

Iranians were given only two hours' notice of the move that limits private drivers to 100 litres of fuel a month.

Despite its huge energy reserves, Iran lacks refining capacity and it imports about 40% of its petrol.

The country has a large budget deficit largely caused by fuel subsidies and the inflation rate is estimated at 20-30%.

The BBC's Tehran correspondent, Frances Harrison, says Iran is trying to rein in fuel consumption over fears of possible UN sanctions over its nuclear programme.

Iran fears the West could impose sanctions on its petrol imports and cripple its economy.

... "Guns, fireworks, tanks, [President] Ahmadinejad should be killed," chanted angry youths, throwing stones at police.

The situation in Tehran may in fact be even worse than the BBC reports it; check out these pictures from a blogger in Tehran.

And The Spirit of Man has some first-hand accounts:

For now, thousands of people are moving from the eastern part of Tehran towards downtown in what appears to be a crowd of angry people protesting the regime's policies.

This is the Achilles heal of the regime and the mullahs are digging their own graves.

"Iran fears the West could impose sanctions on its petrol imports and cripple its economy"? Sounds like a great idea, to me.

"Ahmadinejad should be killed"? There's another great idea. If only the Iranian people could pull it off.

Other coverage: Purple Avenger - "When even a despised regime's enforcers are unwilling to wade in, the end is near."

Related: The Right Truth

Posted by Richard at June 27, 2007 2:29 PM

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Comments

Posted by: Debbie at June 27, 2007 5:47 PM

Posted by: Richard at June 27, 2007 11:34 PM

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