Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Iran Erupts Over Gas Rationing

Leaders fear West will cut fuel imports

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 27, 2007 4:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – Angry Iranians torched Tehran gas stations yesterday and smashed windows as protests against gas rationing turned violent, the BBC reports. Motorists formed huge lines to fill  tanks before new laws took effect limiting Iranians to 26 gallons of gas a month. Despite its oil reserves, Iran is short of refining capacity and must import 40% of its fuel.

"Guns, fireworks, tanks, Ahmadinejad should be killed," chanted youths hurling rocks at police shortly after the new limits were announced. Iranians were given only two hours notice before the rationing went into effect. Iran fears an embargo by the West over its nuclear program could cripple its fragile economy.

Iranians burn a gas station during a protest against gas-rationing in Tehran, Iran on early Wednesday June, 27, 2007. Angry Iranians attacked several gas stations in protest after the government suddenly began long-threatened fuel rationing, while many others rushed to fill their tanks. The Oil Ministry announced the start of...
Iranians burn a gas station during a protest against gas-rationing in Tehran, Iran on early Wednesday June, 27, 2007. Angry Iranians attacked several gas stations in protest after the government suddenly...   (Associated Press)
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, attends in a ceremony in Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz in 300 kms 186 (miles) south of capital Tehran, Iran, Monday April, 9, 2007. Iran announced Monday that it has begun enriching uranium with 3,000 centrifuges, a dramatic expansion of a nuclear program that...
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, attends in a ceremony in Iran's nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz in 300 kms 186 (miles) south of capital Tehran, Iran, Monday April, 9, 2007. Iran announced...   (Associated Press)
Iranians set alight debris in the street during a protest against gas-rationing in Tehran, Iran on early Wednesday June, 27, 2007. Angry Iranians attacked several gas stations in protest after the government suddenly began long-threatened fuel rationing, while many others rushed to fill their tanks. The Oil Ministry announced the...
Iranians set alight debris in the street during a protest against gas-rationing in Tehran, Iran on early Wednesday June, 27, 2007. Angry Iranians attacked several gas stations in protest after the government...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

EU Rolls Out Embargo on Iran Oil

Iran to OPEC: Don't Grab Our Oil Sales

New Pain for Iran: Japan Jumps Aboard Embargo

Iran Council Confirms Ahmadinejad Win

Iran Police Clash With 3K Protesters


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne