Iranian motorists queued at some pump stations to buy cheap gasoline before planned rationing and price hikes, but officials cast doubt on Monday that the full scheme would come into force as announced on May 22. The government and lawmakers have given conflicting signals in recent days about whether the plan to limit the sale of heavily-subsidized fuel and increase the price by 25 percent will be implemented from Tuesday or at a later date. Iran imports 40 percent of its gasoline needs because of a lack of refining capacity. Subsidies for some of the cheapest fuel in the world are draining the state coffers of OPECs second largest crude producer. The government says its plan will help reduce Irans heavy reliance on expensive imports, particularly when Tehran faces further United Nations sanctions over its disputed atomic program. But officials indicated that at least the rationing part could be delayed, while it was unclear whether the price would increase in line with the timetable. The price of gasoline (from May 22) is not yet clear and finalized, Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh told the semi-official Fars News Agency. The definite price of gasoline will be announced by the president. Analysts say President Mahmoud Ahmadinejads government, which draws backing from Irans poor, could get cold feet because the plan may stoke inflation, running at 17 percent. Past fuel price rises have quickly pushed up other costs. I dont understand why they are causing such confusion for the people, one taxi driver in the capital complained. No one knows how much the gasoline will cost and how much we will receive per month. They dont know themselves.

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