Iran Places Blame on, Salman Rushdie and<br />His Supporters, for Stabbing Attack.<br />The well-known and controversial author was stabbed several times during a speaking event in NY state.<br />While Rushdie's recovery was initially uncertain, his literary agent announced over the weekend that his condition was improving.<br />The Iranian government issued the statement on Aug. 15.<br />Regarding the attack on Salman Rushdie, we do not consider anyone other than [Rushdie] and his supporters worth of blame and even condemnation, Nasser Kanaani, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, via CNN.<br />We have not seen anything else about the individual that carried out this act other than <br />what we've seen from <br />American media. , Nasser Kanaani, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, via CNN.<br />We categorically and seriously deny any connection of the assailant with Iran, Nasser Kanaani, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, via CNN.<br />Rushdie gained international <br />fame in the late 1980s with <br />the publication of 'The Satanic <br />Verses,' a book the Iranian <br />government deemed heretical.<br />Rushdie gained international <br />fame in the late 1980s with <br />the publication of 'The Satanic <br />Verses,' a book the Iranian <br />government deemed heretical.<br />Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini declared a fatwa, or legal opinion, against Rushdie the next year.<br />The fatwa has never been lifted and Rushdie has received death threats since it was issued.<br />Hardline Iranian newspapers praised the violence before the Iranian government issued its statement.<br />A thousand bravos, a hundred God blesses. His hand must <br />be kissed ... , Kayhan, Hardline Conservative Iranian Newspaper, via CNN.<br />Bravo to the warrior and dutiful man who attacked the Apostate and wicked Salman Rushdie. , Kayhan, Hardline Conservative Iranian Newspaper, via CNN.<br />The hand of the warrior must be kissed. He tore the vein of Rushdie's neck, Kayhan, Hardline Conservative Iranian Newspaper, via CNN.<br />The headline of another extreme paper read "The Devil on the Path to Hell."
