It was just a matter of time.

Iranian state security forces killed at least two protesters on Thursday during a fifth day of demonstrations against a worsening currency crisis.

The unrest, which began late last week when the rial abruptly slid to a new record low against the dollar, presaging more inflation for a populace already grappling with annual price growth approaching 50%, represents the most acute public uproar since 2019, when hundreds were killed in a government crackdown.

According to IRGC mouthpiece Fars, the protester deaths occurred in Lordegan, where demonstrators congregated near the governor’s house. Social media was alive with unverified footage and visuals depicting what looked like a state of chaos in the city.

Earlier this week, a Basij member died in a melee near Kuhdasht. Another several security personnel were injured in that skirmish, reports suggest.

Polite media describe the Basij as “volunteers,” but in reality they’re IRGC riot police who show up to suppress domestic dissent. The US sanctioned the group in 2011 and designated it a terrorist outfit during Donald Trump’s first term for recruiting child soldiers to fight for Qassem Soleimani’s Quds in regional conflict zones.

Generally speaking, the Basij are responsible for maintaining domestic order. Mike Pompeo once called them a “brute squad” which isn’t inaccurate.

Although Iran’s civilian government, led by president Masoud Pezeshkian, tried to placate the demonstrators on Tuesday with promises to redouble efforts aimed at promoting currency stability and reevaluating planned tax hikes, the protests may prove more difficult to quell compared to 2019. Since then, the regime’s been exposed as weak and feckless.

Pezeshkian won’t ultimately have a say in how the regime responds in the event the unrest continues, which is to say if the demonstrations persist, Khamenei will move to crush them by any means necessary, up to and including shooting protesters where they stand.

Meanwhile, Fars played up the beginning of “Resistance Week,” a period during which Iranians are encouraged to visit Soleimani’s grave in Kerman to pay their respects to the slain general. Saturday marks the the sixth anniversary of his assassination by Trump.