"Ambassador Mark Wallace, CEO of the Counter Extremism Project (CEP), said his thoughts and prayers are with Rushdie and his family after the 'pointless' attacks on his life.

'Rushdie is a free speech advocate and has lived under the threat of assassination since Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, issued a fatwa against him in 1989. A supporter of terrorism, Rushdie has refused to be intimidated.His courage and commitment to his values ​​should be applauded in this difficult moment.'"