Iran increases gasoline price for its heaviest consumers as economy struggles

TEHRAN, Iran -- TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran early Tuesday introduced a higher price for its heaviest users of gasoline, state media reported, in the latest economic pinch caused by months of war. It’s the second such hike since December.Such gas price increases can be sensitive and contribute to inflation. An increase in 2019 sparked nationwide protests and a crackdown that reportedly killed over 300 people.Without specifically mentioning the war with the United States, the government’s announcement cited the “current situation,” adding that the extra money from the price increase will be given to households.Under the new system, people buying more than their quota of 110 liters (29 gallons) of gasoline a month now must pay 100,000 rials (about 7 cents) per liter, or twice as much as they have been paying since December.Iran still has some of the world’s lowest gasoline prices, but the price increase adds to daily pressures for many of the country’s more than 90 million people. Already, the currency has been dropping to record lows, and purchasing power has weakened. On Monday, the U.S. dollar was trading at 2.22 million rials.Keramat Veis Karami, the CEO of the state oil distribution...