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| Chaos as Iran starts fuel rations | Chaos as Iran starts fuel rations |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| At least one petrol station has been set on fire in the Iranian capital, Tehran, after the government announced fuel rationing for private motorists. | At least one petrol station has been set on fire in the Iranian capital, Tehran, after the government announced fuel rationing for private motorists. |
| Iranians were given only two hours' notice of the move that limits private drivers to 100 litres of fuel a month. | 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, forcing it to import about 40% of its petrol. | |
| Tehran is trying to rein in fuel consumption over fears of possible UN sanctions over its nuclear programme. | Tehran is trying to rein in fuel consumption over fears of possible UN sanctions over its nuclear programme. |
| Iran fears the West could sanction its petrol imports and cripple its economy. | Iran fears the West could sanction its petrol imports and cripple its economy. |
| 'Dangerous move' | 'Dangerous move' |
| The restrictions began at midnight local time on Wednesday (2030 GMT Tuesday). | The restrictions began at midnight local time on Wednesday (2030 GMT Tuesday). |
| The BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says there is anger and frustration the government did not give people more notice. | The BBC's Frances Harrison in Tehran says there is anger and frustration the government did not give people more notice. |
| Eyewitnesses have seen at least one petrol station in the outskirts of the west of Tehran on fire and there are reports that three people died in the blaze. | Eyewitnesses have seen at least one petrol station in the outskirts of the west of Tehran on fire and there are reports that three people died in the blaze. |
| All over the city there are huge queues and reports of scuffles at petrol stations as motorists try to beat the start of the rationing and fill their tanks. | All over the city there are huge queues and reports of scuffles at petrol stations as motorists try to beat the start of the rationing and fill their tanks. |
| Iran's petrol is heavily subsidised, sold at about a fifth of its real cost. So far there has been no announcement about whether Iranians can buy more petrol at the real market cost. | Iran's petrol is heavily subsidised, sold at about a fifth of its real cost. So far there has been no announcement about whether Iranians can buy more petrol at the real market cost. |
| Our correspondent says rationing fuel is only likely to add to high inflation and the rising cost of living. | Our correspondent says rationing fuel is only likely to add to high inflation and the rising cost of living. |
| It is a dangerous move for any elected government, especially in an oil-rich country like Iran where people think cheap fuel is their birthright and public transport is very limited, she says. | It is a dangerous move for any elected government, especially in an oil-rich country like Iran where people think cheap fuel is their birthright and public transport is very limited, she says. |
| The US, which is leading efforts to pressure Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities, has said Iran's fuel imports are a point of "leverage". | The US, which is leading efforts to pressure Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment activities, has said Iran's fuel imports are a point of "leverage". |
| Washington and other Western nations accuse the Islamic Republic of seeking to build nuclear weapons. | Washington and other Western nations accuse the Islamic Republic of seeking to build nuclear weapons. |
| Iran says its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and is solely aimed at producing civilian nuclear power. | Iran says its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and is solely aimed at producing civilian nuclear power. |