Hockey fans have hit out at ABC after the network cut away from the Philadelphia Flyers’ clash with the Boston Bruins to report on the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The interruption came as a special news report confirmed that the Iranian Supreme Leader had been killed in a 30-bomb barrage that obliterated his compound.

The strike followed a massive joint military operation by the United States and Israel, targeting the Iranian capital of Tehran on Saturday morning after weeks of tension.

Viewers tuning into the high-stakes Saturday afternoon NHL broadcast were met with a sudden transition to news coverage just as the action on the ice was heating up.

The timing of the cutaway sparked a wave of backlash from fans who felt the interruption was unnecessary.

Taking to X, one frustrated fan wrote: ‘What a waste of time. People can find out tomorrow in the newspaper.’

Hockey fans have hit out at ABC after the network cut away from the Boston Bruins' clash with the Philadelphia Flyers to report on the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
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Hockey fans have hit out at ABC after the network cut away from the Boston Bruins’ clash with the Philadelphia Flyers to report on the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Viewers tuning into the Saturday afternoon NHL broadcast were met with a sudden transition to news coverage
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Viewers tuning into the Saturday afternoon NHL broadcast were met with a sudden transition to news coverage

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Meanwhile, another said: ‘I’m sure Philadelphia and Boston fans were ecstatic.’

In a blunt take, one fan said: ‘Can’t be doing this dawg.’

The Philadelphia Flyers secured a 3-1 win over the Bruins at the Wells Fargo Center – with Jamie Drysdale, Travis Konecny and Sean Couturier scoring for the home side.

Meanwhile, the deadly strike came after failed negotiations to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for relief from the sanctions that have crippled the Iranian economy.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt confirmed that leaders in Congress were briefed in advance of the mission, which the president hailed as ‘justice.’

President Trump took to Truth Social to announce the death, branding Khamenei one of the ‘most evil people in history’ and claiming his ‘hour of freedom’ had arrived.

Khamenei’s death does not guarantee immediate regime change. Thousands of citizens have previously been killed by the regime during uprisings in the country.

Retaliatory strikes have already been reported across the Gulf, with Iranian missiles targeting US air bases in Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) is believed to have been killed after a devastating barrage of 30 bombs obliterated his compound in Iran
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Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) is believed to have been killed after a devastating barrage of 30 bombs obliterated his compound in Iran

Explosions were seen and heard across parts of the Iranian capital, with smoke rising above residential areas
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Explosions were seen and heard across parts of the Iranian capital, with smoke rising above residential areas

At least four people were injured after an Iranian missile strike hit the five-star Fairmont hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, according to local reports.

Dramatic footage showed the exterior of the Palm Jumeirah Fairmont Hotel burning after it was reportedly struck by a high-speed Shahed drone.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989 and was the country’s highest political and religious authority.

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House and the Israeli government for comment.