Leon Panetta

There are no options off the table.

We now hope that American troops in Afghanistan will be able to withdraw from combat to an enabling role soon after the middle of next year; about 18 months earlier than planned.

There are no options that are off the table.

If we have to do it, we will do it.

In the United States, the president has made this clear. He does not want Iran to develop nuclear weapons. That's a red line for us, and it's a red line, obviously, for the Israelis.

The United States, the president made this clear, does not want Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. That's a red line for us and it's a red line obviously for the Israelis. So we share a common goal here. If we have to do it, we will do it.

If they proceed and we get intelligence of them proceeding with developing a nuclear weapon then we will take whatever steps are necessary to stop it.

We wanted to act and they did.

We made very clear that the United States will not tolerate the blocking of the Straits of Hormuz. That's another red line for us and that we will respond to them.

We were not involved in any way, in any way with regards to the assassination that took place there.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has ordered a full investigation.

You will leave with great pride, lasting pride, secure in knowing that your sacrifice has helped the Iraqi people begin a new chapter in history.

We will never forget the lessons of war. Men and women of the United States armed forces who served in places like Fallujah and Ramadi and Sadr City.

This outcome was never certain, especially during the war's darkest days. You came to this land between the rivers, again and again.

I believe that the Iraqis are capable of preventing terrorist organizations from taking root in Iraq.

I believe there will be continuing negotiations. We are in negotiations now with regards to the size of the security office that will be there.

Today, thanks to innumerable sacrifices from all involved, Iraq is governing itself--as a sovereign nation, as an emerging source of stability in a vital part of the world.

Thank you, as always, for your continuing support for our men and women in uniform and for their families.

I think there will be a continuing threat.

I believe that Ambassador Jeffrey and the State Department continue to work very closely with the Iraqis to ensure that religious minorities are protected there.

I believe it is within the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces to handle.

DOD requires appropriate legal protections for U.S. troops, wherever they are deployed.

We are going to continue a long-term relationship with Iraq.

This fulfills the pledge made by President Bush and now by President Obama in his February 2009 strategy for Iraq.

they ought to be grandfathered. We have made a commitment to those that have deployed.