Iran’s military has told Washington not to send its aircraft carrier back to the Persian Gulf, threatening the U.S. with response measures.

“I think it reflects the fact that Iran is in a position of weakness. It’s the latest round of Iranian threats and it’s confirmation that Tehran is under increasing pressure for its continued failures to live up to its international obligation,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.

“Iran is isolated and is seeking to divert attention from its behavior and domestic problems,” he said.

“This is simply a measure of the impact that sanctions have been having on Iran and the broad international support for taking - putting pressure on Iran and isolating Iran because of its refusal to live up to its international obligations,” Carney said.

Iran’s navy, involved in the Velayat-90 military drills, discovered an American aircraft carrier nearby last Thursday. The situation around the maneuvers escalated when Iranian authorities said they might close the Strait of Hormuz - a threat the United States rejected as well.

The West accuses Iran of pursuing a secret nuclear weapons program. The Islamic Republic denies the accusation, saying its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.