Following an attack against the author Salman Rushdie, Secretary of State Antony Blinken contended that “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. The U.S. and partners will not waver in our determination to stand up to these threats, using every appropriate tool at our disposal”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson asserted: “We do not consider anyone other than [Rushdie] and his supporters worth of blame”, while “categorically and seriously deny[ing] any connection of the assailant with Iran”.