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Iran fuel rations spark violence Iran fuel rations spark violence
(about 7 hours later)
Several petrol stations have been torched in the Iranian capital Tehran, after the government announced fuel rationing for private vehicles. At least 12 petrol stations have been torched in the Iranian capital, Tehran, after the government announced 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.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.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.Despite its huge energy reserves, Iran lacks refining capacity and it imports about 40% of its petrol.
Rationing is not bad by itself but it must be organised... one cannot announce at 9pm that the rationing would start at midnight, they should have announced the exact date days earlier Tehran motorist class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6244574.stm">Q&A: Iran petrol rationing The country has a large budget deficit largely caused by fuel subsidies and the inflation rate is estimated at 20-30%.
Iran 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.
The BBC 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.Iran fears the West could impose sanctions on its petrol imports and cripple its economy.
'Dangerous move''Dangerous move'
There was violence in nine areas of Tehran as angry youths attacked petrol stations, Raja News, a website linked to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, reported. The restrictions began at midnight local time on Wednesday (2030 GMT Tuesday) and are set to continue for four months - with a possible extension to six months - the government said.
Reports of attacks on petrol stations elsewhere in the country could not be confirmed. There is anger that the government did not give people more notice. Some MPs have called for an end to the rationing and parliament may postpone its summer recess to deal with the crisis.
Some people came on foot with jerry cans and plastic bottles and the police were out in force to stem unrest, amid reports of scuffles at petrol stations. class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6244574.stm">Q&A: Iran petrol rationing class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6245934.stm">Petrol fuels president's woes class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6230244.stm">Bloggers' dismay at curbs Our correspondent says that after frustration bubbled into violence overnight, police have been posted at every petrol station to ensure fights do not break out.
The restrictions began at midnight local time on Wednesday (2030 GMT Tuesday) and would continue for four months - with a possible extension to six months - the government said. During the night, cars were set alight and petrol stations vandalised while, in the capital, a supermarket and a bank were also attacked.
There is anger and frustration the government did not give people more notice. Some MPs have called for an end to the rationing and parliament may postpone its summer recess to deal with the crisis.
"Guns, fireworks, tanks, [President] Ahmadinejad should be killed," chanted angry youths, throwing stones at police."Guns, fireworks, tanks, [President] Ahmadinejad should be killed," chanted angry youths, throwing stones at police.
Iran's petrol is heavily subsidised, sold at about a fifth of its real cost
The protests are the first large-scale outpouring of anger against the Iranian government since Mr Ahmadinejad took office in 2005.The protests are the first large-scale outpouring of anger against the Iranian government since Mr Ahmadinejad took office in 2005.
"I think rationing is not bad by itself but it must be organised," one man told the Associated Press news agency.
"One cannot announce at 9pm that the rationing would start at midnight, they should have announced the exact date at least two days earlier."
Iran's petrol is heavily subsidised, sold at about a fifth of its real cost.Iran's petrol is heavily subsidised, sold at about a fifth of its real cost.
The price of 1,000 rials ($0.11) per litre makes Iran one of the cheapest countries in the world for motorists.The price of 1,000 rials ($0.11) per litre makes Iran one of the cheapest countries in the world for motorists.
So far there has been no announcement about whether Iranians can buy more petrol at the real market cost.So far there has been no announcement about whether Iranians can buy more petrol at the real market cost.
Licensed taxi drivers will be able to buy 800 litres a month at the subsidised price.Licensed taxi drivers will be able to buy 800 litres a month at the subsidised price.
US pressureUS pressure
Our correspondent says rationing fuel is only likely to add to high inflation.Our correspondent says rationing fuel is only likely to add to high inflation.
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.
BBC Middle East analyst Roger Hardy says there is no sign of Iran backing down politically on the nuclear issue.
But in economic terms, the international pressure is having some effect.
Foreign companies are less willing to invest in Iran, and foreign banks are withholding credit.
For the Iranian authorities, images of angry motorists attacking petrol stations create an unwelcome impression of economic vulnerability, our correspondent adds.
Are you in Iran? Have you been affected by the rationing? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Are you in Iran? Have you been affected by the rationing? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
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