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At least 12 gas stations were torched in Tehran and other cities throughout Iran in protest against fuel rationing. There were also unconfirmed reports that 2 or 3 people were killed in the ensuing chaotic scenes.

According to Gholam-Ali Haddad Adel, the Majlis Speaker and chairman of the Iranian parliament:

“What happened last night, though should not have taken place in the first place, but was the least that could occur.” He added “such incidents are normal to take place after big decisions are implemented in major cities.”

I hope that Gordon Brown is listening.

Update

The BBC reports that Iran’s government has now banned the reporting of ‘negative’ stories about the fuel riots. This follows further torchings which brought the total to around 19 petrol stations. The authorities switched off the mobile text messaging system overnight to prevent motorists from organising more of the protests. Motorists have thrown stones and shouted slogans against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

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