Iran Introduces Gas Rationing while Prices Soar Fifty Per Cent

As of Friday, Iranians are being allowed a ration of 60 liters of gasoline per month. At the same time, the government boosted retail prices some fifty-per cent, sending a small number of Iranians into the streets protesting. Although the crowds were said to be in the hundreds, the significance of the demonstrators was elevated by the number of places nation-wide where street protests took place. Observers report little belief in government promises of using the funding generated by the price hikes for the poor. Local media reported the sound of gunfire at some of the demonstrations.