Photo Gallery Gas Stations Under Attack in Iran
Iran announced new gas-rationing regulations on Tuesday evening, just hours before they were to go into effect. Long lines at the pumps immediately formed as people tried to get one last tank of pre-rationing gas. Stations were also set on fire by angry mobs.
Reports from Iran indicate that up to nine gas stations in Tehran were set on fire by "vandals."
The new laws mean that Iranians will only be able to buy 100 liters (26 gallons) of subsidized gasoline each month.
Citizens of Iran are used to having some of the cheapest prices for gasoline in the world. Until now, prices have been as low as 7 euro cents per liter, which works out to 36 US cents per gallon.
Despite being one of the world's biggest oil exporters, Iran has to import 50 percent of its gasoline needs due to limited refining capacities.
Lines at some gas stations in Tehran were more than a kilometer long. Minutes before the rationing went into effect at midnight, motorists began blaring their horns in protest.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to office promising an improvement to Iran's faltering economy. So far he has had difficulties delivering on the pledge.
In May, the Iranian government reduced gas subsidies, resulting in an immediate jump in prices by 25 percent.
Iran is hoping to increase oil extraction capacity as well as build more refineries by 2014.
