Iran's senior leadership responded to the 22 April U.S. decision to end sanctions waivers on Iranian oil sales. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei argued that "their efforts won't get them anywhere. We will export our oil as much as we need and we intend to", adding that "they should know that this hostile measure will not be left without a reaction... the Iranian nation is not a nation that would sit idle in the face of hostilities". Meanwhile, President Rouhani remarked that "we always favour negotiation and diplomacy, as we are ready for war and defence, if they lift all pressures and apologise for their illegal acts... accepting the demands of a bully who lies about being after negotiation will never lead anywhere, and we will never negotiate with a bully".