Iran "Fuel Ration Protest" Update

The rioting that is taking place in Iran in protest of government fuel rationing is causing quite a stir. Ahmadinejad is under political pressure to cancel the ration program and the Iranian Security Services have forbidden local journalists to cover the unrest. This from Robert Tait for The Guardian;

The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was under pressure to perform a U-turn on petrol rationing yesterday after the restriction prompted violent protests at filling stations across the country this week.

MPs said they would press the government to alter or even scrap the plan after angry citizens set fire to at least a dozen petrol stations in Tehran and chanted slogans against President Ahmadinejad following Tuesday night's sudden introduction of quotas.

Banks, supermarkets and fire engines were also attacked while further disturbances were reported in other big cities, including Isfahan and Shiraz.

There were unconfirmed reports that three people were killed in the violence, which led to 80 arrests.

In a sign of official concern that the disturbances might spread, the government temporarily closed the country's mobile phone text messaging network after widespread circulation of a text urging protestors to gather in Tehran's Valiasr Square.

And don’t be surprised if the news flow gets cut off as quickly as the fuel supply at local filling stations. This from the BBC;

Iran's top security body has ordered local journalists not to report on problems caused by petrol rationing,a day after its surprise introduction.

Angry motorists have reacted violently to the curbs, attacking up to 19 petrol stations in the capital, Tehran.

There are still long queues outside filling stations.

The authorities switched off the mobile text messaging system in Tehran overnight to prevent motorists from organising more protests.

Summertime in Tehran.

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