TEHRAN, April 2 (UPI) -- Gasoline consumption by Iranian drivers was down 1.7 percent during the recent new year holiday compared with the previous year, officials said in Tehran.
Washington is ramping up economic pressure on Tehran as punishment for a controversial nuclear by clamping down in international oil and gas traders. Gasoline is described by U.S. officials as Iran's Achilles' heel.
Tehran said that as of March 21, it would it would reduce the volume of gasoline offered at a discount to 15 gallons per vehicle per month.
Iranian officials said the restrictions would last for three months but could be extended.
Transportation officials in Iran said drivers consumed 1.7 percent less gasoline in the eight days that followed the Iranian new year March 21 compared with the previous year, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting network reports.
Authorities said gas-rationing systems forced consumers to manage consumption during the holidays and perform maintenance on their vehicles to get better gas mileage.
Amid Western pressure, Vitol, one of the world's largest oil and gas traders, said in March that it would stop dealing with Iran, prompting several other leading traders to follow suit.
Iranian energy officials said they could increase gasoline production domestically to make up for any shortfalls.
