At least five gas stations were set on fire by angry motorists in the Iranian capital, Tehran, today in protest against a government decision to begin rationing fuel. Long lines of cars formed at gas stations last night as people attempted to fill their gas tanks ahead of the midnight imposition of the rationing plan.

Eyewitnesses say motorists threw stones at some petrol stations and shouted slogans denouncing President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

Similar incidents have been taking place in other Iranian cities, including Ahwaz, Esfahan, Kazaj, and Tabriz.

According to unconfirmed reports, a woman was killed today during violence outside a petrol station in Tehran.