Speaking one day after the U.S. imposed sanctions against Iranian political and military leaders, President Rouhani remarked that “today, there is a great confusion and frustration in the U.S. administration; they are frustrated because whatever they do does not lead them to any result… the White House is suffering mental disability and doesn’t know what to do”. Referring to the downing of the U.S. drone on 20 June, he stated that “our patience lasts until the beginning of our red line, and the borders of our country are our red line; when a drone crosses our borders, it has crossed our red line and we have the right to defend ourselves”. Rouhani went on to say that “imposing sanctions on the highest political, social, religious and spiritual leader of a country, who is not only the leader of Iran, but also the leader of Muslims and Shiites and the followers of the Islamic Revolution throughout the world is a ridiculous act”. Referring to the U.S., he further argued that “if they were seeking negotiations, they would not withdraw from a deal that was struck out of negotiation”. In related remarks, Iran’s diplomatic spokespersons said the sanctions “means the permanent closure of the path to diplomacy with the desperate US administration”