Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned Wednesday, August 1, that the United States is prepared to implement ‘other options’ if Iran continues to work toward attaining nuclear weapons, Haaretz reported. “Iran must either negotiate acceptable limits on its nuclear program or face the possibility of U.S. military action to stop it from getting the bomb,” Panetta stressed. Panetta said that the U.S. has been “taking steps to continue to apply more pressure on Iran,” mentioning Obama’s announcement of new Iran sanctions on Tuesday. Panetta also said that the U.S. respects Israel’s right to defend itself. “The U.S. respects Israel’s sovereignty and independence and their efforts to decide what’s in their best interest in the region,” he said.