President Rouhani asserted that "our defence capabilities are non-negotiable. We need to be strong". On negotiations with the U.S., Rouhani argued that "we can choose another way and respond positively to the Americans, but in that case, there will be no dignity, independence, democracy". He went on to opine that  "negotiation in the wrong time is like picking fruits when they are green. Therefore, we have to wait for the right time".