Wednesday June 27, 2007 4:31 PM
AP Photo XHS110, XHS109, XHS105, XHS106, XHS101, XHS103
By NASSER KARIMI
Associated Press Writer
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranians angered by abruptly enforced fuel rationing torched or damaged more than a dozen gas stations in the country's capital Wednesday, while others grumbled and lined up to fill their tanks.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranians angered by abruptly enforced fuel rationing torched or damaged more than a dozen gas stations in the country's capital Wednesday, while others grumbled and lined up to fill their tanks.
The government has been warning for weeks that it would start rationing, but the announcement Tuesday night - only three hours before the measure went into effect at midnight - startled Iranians and send them rushing to fill their tanks.
Long lines turned violent at several gas stations, witnesses said.
Long lines turned violent at several gas stations, witnesses said.
Drivers attacked some stations when the managers decided to stop selling fuel before midnight, saying they had to recalibrate their systems for the rationing.
``This made people who were waiting in line angry so they attacked the pumps,'' said one witness, Rasoul Enayati.
``This made people who were waiting in line angry so they attacked the pumps,'' said one witness, Rasoul Enayati.
Fire Department spokesman Behrouz Tashakkor said 12 stations in Tehran were set on fire. Iran's police chief Gen. Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam put the total number of damaged stations at 17. Cars and other buildings, including banks, were also damaged.
``The police have called out their forces to control any possible disorder after the implementation of rationing,'' he said. State-run television said some of those involved in the attacks had been detained, but did not specify how many. Under the rationing plan, owners of private cars can buy 26 gallons of fuel per month at the subsidized price of 38 cents per gallon. Taxis can get 211 gallons a month at the subsidized price.
``The police have called out their forces to control any possible disorder after the implementation of rationing,'' he said. State-run television said some of those involved in the attacks had been detained, but did not specify how many. Under the rationing plan, owners of private cars can buy 26 gallons of fuel per month at the subsidized price of 38 cents per gallon. Taxis can get 211 gallons a month at the subsidized price.
Iran is the second-biggest exporter in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. But because it has low refining capability, it has to import more than 50 percent of its gasoline needs. To keep prices low, the government subsidized gas sales, saddling it with enormous costs.
The issue is hugely sensitive in this oil-rich nation, where people are used to having cheap and plentiful gas. Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power in the 2005 election based largely on his promises to improve the faltering economy. But his failure to do so has sparked widespread criticism.
People were still queuing at gas stations Wednesday, though lines were shorter.
``I could not fill my car last night because of the rush. Now I have come to experience my first quota,'' said Hassan Riahi, a 21-year-old engineering student, as he waited at a Tehran gas station guarded by four police officers.
Reports that gas stations in several cities across the country were also in flames could not be independently confirmed.
``I could not fill my car last night because of the rush. Now I have come to experience my first quota,'' said Hassan Riahi, a 21-year-old engineering student, as he waited at a Tehran gas station guarded by four police officers.
Reports that gas stations in several cities across the country were also in flames could not be independently confirmed.
Conservatives in Iran's parliament, especially those aligned with the country's national oil company, have long pushed for higher gasoline prices to curtail demand and free up government funds for investment in more oil and gas production.
Ahmadinejad had resisted allowing increases because of his campaign promises to share Iran's oil wealth with the nation's poor. The government first said on May 21 that rationing would begin in two weeks, but the move was delayed without explanation.
The president has come under growing criticism - even from conservatives who once supported him - for dramatically rising housing and food prices in the past year. Many fear the increase in fuel costs will further increase inflation.
Ahmadinejad had resisted allowing increases because of his campaign promises to share Iran's oil wealth with the nation's poor. The government first said on May 21 that rationing would begin in two weeks, but the move was delayed without explanation.
The president has come under growing criticism - even from conservatives who once supported him - for dramatically rising housing and food prices in the past year. Many fear the increase in fuel costs will further increase inflation.
``This man, Ahmadinejad, has damaged all things. The timing of the rationing is just one case,'' said Reza Khorrami, a 27-year-old teacher who was among those lining up at one Tehran gas station before midnight on Tuesday. Some stations in Tehran had lines more than a half mile long late Tuesday. Minutes before midnight, car owners still caught in the long lines began blaring their horns over and over in protest - sparking arguments with nearby residents trying to sleep. ``Is this good timing, to announce rationing only three hours before it starts?'' complained Ahmad Safai, a 30-year-old shopkeeper who was in line. ``I had no gas in my car's tank when I heard the report.'' Iranian legislators joined the criticism over the decision. ``The rationing could have been implemented in a better way,'' Alaeddin Broujerdi, head of the parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy, was quoted as saying on the Web site of Iran's state run broadcasting company. He said he worried about the ``security consequences'' of the decision. Another legislator, Darioush Qanbari, said the measure ``has caused dissatisfaction among people and an undesirable psychological situation in the society.''
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