President Rouhani admitted that "people may have complaints; it is okay to voice their criticism with a loud voice.... but standing against a bully in the world and showing that they will not be affected by their negative publicity is a great victory". He went on to assert with regards to the U.S. that "if they are right in saying that they want security for the region, this is not the way. If they are honest in saying that they respect the Iranian nation and history, this is not the way. They have chosen a wrong path".