Gas Stations in Iran Begin to Run Dry

Iran's latest fuel squeeze is spilling from gas lines into the streets. The government has doubled some gasoline prices and cut monthly fuel quotas as war damage to refineries, a US blockade, and a collapsing currency strain the budget for subsidies that long cushioned everyday Iranians. Stations in several cities have run dry, the Wall Street Journal reports, leaving drivers stranded and sending taxi, truck, and ride-share workers into protests and strikes.

At key trade hubs, including the Iraq border and the port of Bandar Abbas, truckers warn they may halt shipments. With inflation already punishing food prices and the rial hitting a record low, workers say they can't keep up. Videos posted online show some drivers sleeping in their cars to be able to fill up the next morning, per Deutsche Welle. One protest sign from Snapp drivers, who are on strike in several cities, said: "These fares don't keep the wheels of life turning."