The Iranian government has addressed the recent stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani vaguely denied Iran’s involvement in the attack on the author, but also seemed to justify it. 

“We don’t consider anyone deserving reproach, blame or even condemnation, except for [Rushdie] himself and his supporters,” said Kanaani today, as reported by The Associated Press. “In this regard, no one can blame the Islamic Republic of Iran. We believe that the insults made and the support he received was an insult against followers of all religions,” he added.

Who is Rushdie? Salman Rushdie is a famed novelist. He spent his childhood in India before immigrating to the United Kingdom, where he was educated. He holds British and also American citizenship, having moved to the United States several years ago. Rushdie comes from a Muslim family but has long identified as an atheist. 

Rushdie is best known for his acclaimed 1988 novel "The Satanic Verses," which was inspired by the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The book references pagan gods that were worshipped in Mecca at the time of the advent of Islam and also mocks some Islamic beliefs. The main character is named Mahound, a pejorative term for the prophet from the Middle Ages.