Iran World Cup loss sparks despair - and joy from regime critics

For Iranians, their football team's World Cup loss against the United States was cause for either sadness or exuberant joy, depending on where they stand on a two-month-old protest movement.

Caught between the clerical regime and calls to show solidarity with protesters, the national team pressed near-relentlessly in the second half on Tuesday night but were unable to cancel out a 38th minute opener by the US, resulting in an early exit.

That prompted the extraordinary spectacle of Iranians cheering a defeat inflicted by the Islamic republic's arch-enemy often labelled the "Great Satan".

"Who would've ever thought I'd jump three metres and celebrate America's goal!" tweeted Iranian gaming journalist Saeed Zafarany.

Inside Iran, celebrations were especially marked in western Kurdistan province, the cradle of a movement sparked by the death of young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in morality police custody after her arrest for allegedly infringing the nation's strict dress code for women.

A video shared online by Kurdish activist Kaveh Ghoreishi showed a Sanandaj city neighbourhood at night with sounds of cheering and horns blaring after the United States scored.

That goal also prompted joy in Amini's hometown of Saqez, according to the London-based news website Iran Wire, which published images showing fireworks and sounds of people cheering.

Protesters also set off fireworks in Mahabad, Kurdistan, following Iran's loss, according to videos shared online, while Norway-based Hengaw human rights group also reported celebrations there and in the city of Marivan.

The scenes of joy were not confined to Kurdistan province, reflecting the nationwide nature of the protest movement.

Videos on social media showed citizens celebrating in the