Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini issues a fatwa encouraging Muslims to kill the author of ''The Satanic Verses'', Salman Rushdie.

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini offers a USD $3 million bounty for the death of ''The Satanic Verses'' author Salman Rushdie.

Iran and the United Kingdom break diplomatic relations after a row over Salman Rushdie and his controversial novel.