Washington

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Sunday lauded author Salman Rushdie for consistently standing up for the universal rights of freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press.

Blinken said that the Iranian state institutions have incited violence against the Indian-origin author for generations and state-affiliated media recently gloated about an attempt on his life.

Rushdie, who received death threats from Iran due to his book 'The Satanic Verses', was stabbed on Friday morning by a 24-year-old attacker at a literary event in New York.

"We join those across the country and around the world who are keeping Salman Rushdie in our thoughts in the aftermath of this heinous attack. More than a literary giant, Rushdie has consistently stood up for the universal rights of freedom of expression, freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of the press," Blinken said in a statement.

State Secretary further said that while the officials are investigating the attack, he was reminded of the pernicious forces that seek to undermine these rights, including through hate speech and incitement to violence.

On Sunday, Rushdie was disconnected from the ventilator and is now able to talk. Rushdie's agent, Andrew Wylie, confirmed.

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Meanwhile, Hadi Matar, who was nabbed from the site of stabbing, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder in the second degree and other charges in a New York court.