Iran shrugs role in Rushdie attack; Blames author for ‘crossing red lines’

Even as Salman Rushdie battles for life after Friday’s brutal stabbing in New York, Iran has blamed the novelist and his supporters for the attack. Denying any links to the attacker, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that no one has the right to level accusations against Iran since it is the writer who is to be blamed for denigrating Muslims around the world. Following the attack, all eyes had turned to Iran due to a Fatwa issued against Rushdie three decades ago. The prize winning author has lived under death threat since the release of his novel ‘The Satanic Verses’ which has been deemed ‘blasphemous’ by a section of people.