protest. control. Repeat. It has become a familiar cycle for Iranians.

On Friday, Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who has been in power for 35 years, addressed the recent unrest and acknowledged that economic dissatisfaction was at the heart of the public’s anger. But he quickly reverted to his old ways, drawing a clear line between what he called legitimate protests and rioting “mercenaries” and warning of harsh responses.

But the administration’s old strategy may no longer be enough to contain this latest wave. Times have changed.