Proposal I've seen several places is that the US (and West in general) start an embargo on gasoline against Iran. Iran has lots of oil but very few refineries--vulnerable to such an embargo.

1)   Would that hurt the general population but not the ruling theocracy?

2)   Would it be effective?--obviously Russia, China, and some other non-Western powers would not participate.

3) Would it enable the regime to play the "patriotism" card--close ranks against the evil West?

Thoughts?