Blinken: Iranian state institutions have incited violence against Rushdie

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Iran incited violence against Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed multiple times on Friday while preparing to give a lecture in New York.

"While law enforcement officials continue to investigate the attack, I am reminded of the pernicious forces that seek to undermine these rights, including through hate speech and incitement to violence," Blinken said in a statement.

"Specifically, Iranian state institutions have incited violence against Rushdie for generations, and state-affiliated media recently gloated about the attempt on his life. This is despicable," Blinken said.