NPR: Cutbacks in Gas Allowance Spark Iranian Violence

Cutbacks in Gas Allowance Spark Iranian Violence

Oil, oil, everywhere, and not a drop to pump. I wouldn't be surprised if Iranians are singing a similar ditty today.

The BBC reports that several gas stations were torched in Tehran after the government announced fuel rationing that limits private vehicles to about 26 gallons of fuel per month at the subsidized price of 38 cents per gallon.

Although the government had been warning for months that it might make such a change, Iranians were only given around two hours' notice before the new rules went into effect.

It's a hard concept to get one's head around. Iran, one of the top petroleum producers in the world, in the grips of a fuel crisis? But Iran imports 40 to 50 percent of the fuel it uses because it lacks refining capacity.

The Associated Press reports President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has come under growing criticism, even from former supporters, for dramatic rises in the past year in food, housing and oil prices.

5:52 PM ET | 06-27-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Here is an idea. Why not trade them two refineries for stopping their uranium enrichment program?

Sent by Randy T | 7:59 PM ET | 06-27-2007

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