A petrol station attendant (R) counts money as a man waits for his change at a petrol station in northwestern Tehran. (File photo: Reuters)
Iran cuts portion of gasoline subsidies
Subsidies have previously kept the cost of gasoline low for consumers in the country
Iran has cut a portion of its gasoline subsidies, nearly doubling some prices at the pump as part of a second round of cuts delayed since 2012.
Friday's move will test public support for moderate President Hassan Rowhani in a nation battered by inflation and economic sanctions imposed over Iran's controversial nuclear program.
Subsidies have kept the cost of gasoline artificially low for consumers in OPEC-member Iran. The slash aims to release government money for production and infrastructural projects.
Under the new pricing scheme, each liter jumped to 7,000 rials (22 cents) from 4,000 rials (12 cents).
That works out to about 83 cents a gallon under the new pricing structure, compared to 45 cents under the former. Each car has a monthly ration of 60 liters (15.85 gallons).
