Iran police on patrol after petrol rationing protests

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iranian police were on patrol in Tehran on Thursday on alert for any further violent protests over the introduction of petrol rationing in the world's fourth largest oil producer.

A dozen petrol stations were set ablaze in violence that erupted late Tuesday and angry motorists queued for hours throughout Wednesday to fill up their tanks after the government's sudden announcement.

But on Thursday, state-run television said the streets were calm and no further trouble had been reported near petrol stations despite long lines of cars still waiting at the pumps.

"The situation in the city is calm and the police are patrolling the city's main roads and squares," Tehran metropolitan police spokesman Mahdi Ahmadi was quoted as saying by Iran's energy...