Lauding Salman Rushdie, author of 'The Satanic Verses', US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said 'We join those across the country and around the world who are keeping Salman Rushdie is in our thoughts in the aftermath of this heinous attack. More than a literary giant, Rushdie has consistently stood up for the universal rights of freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of the press'.

Rushdie, who received death threats from Iran due to his book, was stabbed on Friday morning by a 24-year-old attacker at a literary event in New York. Mr. Blinken, further, said that while the officials are investigating the attack, he was reminded of the pernicious forces that seek to undermine these rights, including through hate speech and incitement of violence.