United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Iranian state institutions "have incited violence against [Salman] Rushdie for generations" and that Iranian state media "recently gloated about the attempt on his life." Rushdie, a celebrated Iranian-born author, was stabbed during a speech event in the US on Friday.
"The United States and partners will not waver in our determination to stand up to these threats, using every appropriate tool at our disposal. The strength of Rushdie - and that of all of those around the world who have endured such threats - steels our resolve and underscores the imperative of standing united as an international community against those who would challenge these universal rights," Blinken said.
