Iran fuel rations spark violence

bhkad · 06-27-07, 08:42 AM

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Iran fuel rations spark violence

Several 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.

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.

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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

Iran has a large budget deficit largely caused by fuel subsidies and the inflation rate is estimated at 20-30%.

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.

'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.

Reports of attacks on petrol stations elsewhere in the country could not be confirmed.

Story from BBC NEWS:
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iran fuel rations spark violence

Published: 2007/06/27 09:04:17 GMT

Uh oh, it looks like civil unrest may be starting in Iran.

Iriemon · 06-27-07, 10:25 AM

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Originally Posted by bhkad

Story from BBC NEWS:
BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iran fuel rations spark violence

Published: 2007/06/27 09:04:17 GMT

Uh oh, it looks like civil unrest may be starting in Iran.

1) Where is the description of the fascist gestapo coming in and shooting all the protestors?

2) Stories like this (which are not uncommon) demonstrate that Iranians are becoming increasing unhappy with the radical fundamentalist leadership. Left to their own devices, it seems likely that the Iranians will reject this course in the next elections.

The very worst thing we could do now is unjustifiable military agression against Iran, creating a threat and fear which would bolster the radical fundamentalists standing.

WI Crippler · 06-27-07, 10:33 AM

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Originally Posted by Iriemon

1) Where is the description of the fascist gestapo coming in and shooting all the protestors?

2) Stories like this (which are not uncommon) demonstrate that Iranians are becoming increasing unhappy with the radical fundamentalist leadership. Left to their own devices, it seems likely that the Iranians will reject this course in the next elections.

The very worst thing we could do now is unjustifiable military agression against Iran, creating a threat and fear which would bolster the radical fundamentalists standing.

And the worst thing the Iranian government could do, is to continue to defy IAEA inspectors, and the UN, along with issuing dire threats against Israel, thereby forcing everybodys hand to do something about it.

Khayembii Communique · 06-27-07, 11:05 AM

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issuing dire threats against Israel

Which dire threats are those?

WI Crippler · 06-27-07, 11:32 AM

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“As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map,”

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We ask the West to remove what they created sixty years ago and if they do not listen to our recommendations, then the Palestinian nation and other nations will eventually do this for them."

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"Remove Israel before it is too late and save yourself from the fury of regional nations."

And a threat to Israel supporters

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Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury."

Volker · 06-27-07, 11:34 AM

It is actually Israel who does sabre rattling towards Iran. It is one thing to do long range flight maneuvres and air-refueling training and it's another thing to discuss routes, diplomatic clearances and the effectiveness of air-to-ground weapons in examples. Some of these things are published in the Israeli press and planning stuff would not be published without Israeli military censorship gives an ok.

Maybe it is a trick, it's hard to believe Israelis want to bet their country by attacking a country with rockets close to them.

Khayembii Communique · 06-27-07, 11:42 AM

WI Crippler, could you provide who has said that? I'm not in doubt that many of Iran's religious leaders might have said something along those lines, but I know for a fact that Ahmedinejad never said that Israel should be "wiped off the map". That was a gross mistranslation.

Volker · 06-27-07, 11:45 AM

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Originally Posted by Khayembii Communique

WI Crippler, could you provide who has said that? I'm not in doubt that many of Iran's religious leaders might have said something along those lines, but I know for a fact that Ahmedinejad never said that Israel should be "wiped off the map". That was a gross mistranslation.

It was a mistranslation, but to "delete Israel from the history books" does not sound better.

WI Crippler · 06-27-07, 11:47 AM

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Originally Posted by Khayembii Communique

WI Crippler, could you provide who has said that? I'm not in doubt that many of Iran's religious leaders might have said something along those lines, but I know for a fact that Ahmedinejad never said that Israel should be "wiped off the map". That was a gross mistranslation.

Those are all statements by Ahmedinejad.

And Ahmedinjad did not say Israel should be wiped off the map. He stated thats what the Imam said. Of course, where does he get his direction from??

Here's the full quote

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The skirmishes in the occupied land are part of a war of destiny. The outcome of hundreds of years of war will be defined in Palestinian land. As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map."

Iriemon · 06-27-07, 11:49 AM

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Originally Posted by Khayembii Communique

WI Crippler, could you provide who has said that? I'm not in doubt that many of Iran's religious leaders might have said something along those lines, but I know for a fact that Ahmedinejad never said that Israel should be "wiped off the map". That was a gross mistranslation.

Also WI Crippler, please provide a link to the source of the quotes you cited. The entity that is claiming these statements were made and who it was that made the interpretations would be relevant on how much accuracy they should be given.

Thank you!