Iran on the brink

摘要

The disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has revealed deep splits in Iranian society bringing into question the country's political stability. Suppression of the protests is likely, but Ahmadinejad will still have to address Iran's ailing oil and gas sector. Starved of capital and technology, the industry looks incapable of increasing capacity, addressing its gasoline deficit, or monetizing its huge gas reserves.rnThe demonstrations that erupted in Iran following the disputed re-election of lranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on June 12 have revealed deep-seated social tensions and popular discontent in one of the world's leading crude exporting countries. Iran also holds the world's second largest natural gas reserves.rnThe country has seen almost daily protests since the election, as well as the mobilization of pro-government supporters. Hundreds of riot police armed with steel clubs and firing tear gas put down an opposition rally in the capital on June 22 after the country's Revolutionary Guards warned it would crush further protests.