Anti-government chants filled the streets of Iran's capital on Saturday night, as protesters pressed the biggest movement against the Islamic republic in more than three years despite a deadly crackdown under cover of an internet blackout.

The two weeks of demonstrations have posed one of the biggest challenges to the theocratic authorities who have ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution, although supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has expressed defiance and blamed the United States.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday his country was "ready to help" the movement, a day after warning Iran was in "big trouble" and reiterating that he could order new military action after Washington backed and joined Israel's 12-day war against the Islamic republic in June.

"Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

The demonstrations sparked by severe economic pressures have swelled and turned to ousting the clerical authorities.

Crowds gathered again on Saturday in the north of the Iranian capital, setting off fireworks and banging pots as they shouted slogans in support of the ousted monarchy,........

© Al Monitor