<i>Iran petrol prices quadruple </i>

Iranian petrol prices surged four-fold on Sunday as the government started scrapping subsidies as part of a long-awaited overhaul of the economy, despite staunch opposition from conservatives.
The move comes after much debate and strong opposition from part of the Iranian parliament which had criticised the plan as inflationary at a time when the economy was reeling under sanctions and high unemployment.
Police and security forces were deployed across main squares and fuel stations in Tehran to prevent any violence as the new fuel price regime came into force on Sunday.
Motorists were hardest hit by the policy change, which sent petrol prices soaring to 4,000 rials (40 US cents) from 1,000 rials per litre for the 60 litres they receive as a monthly quota, state television reported on its website.
They now have to pay 7,000 rials per litre for any extra petrol they require.
Iran's Mehr news agency said the price of jet fuel was now set at 4,000 rials per litre for domestic flights and 7,000 rials for international flights. Diesel prices jumped to 1,500 rials from 160 rials, the television reported.
Mohammad Reza Farzin, spokesman for the subsidy plan, said the average price of household electricity was now 450 rials per kilowatt an hour, water 250 rials per cubic metre and cooking gas 700 rials per cubic metre.
"The expenses (for households) will depend on consumption. The lesser the consumption, the lesser the cost will be," Mehr quoted him as saying.
The Tehran municipality announced the rise in fuel prices would not lead to hike in fares of public transport such as the metro rail network, buses and taxis plying in the capital, media reports said.
The government plans to phase out subsidies on energy products petrol, diesel, gas, kerosene and electricity, and food items such as water and bread as part of the overhaul which had been in the pipeline for several years.
According to official estimates, subsidies on these products cost state coffers about 100 billion dollars a year.
A 2007 attempt by government to ration petrol had triggered riots in Tehran, and, on Sunday, police were guarding several fuel stations in the capital to prevent any repeat of the violence.