WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Tuesday Iran's threat to take action if a U.S. aircraft carrier moves into the Gulf showed Tehran was increasingly isolated internationally, faced economic problems from to sanctions and wants to divert attention from its deepening problems.

"It reflects the fact that Iran is in a position of weakness," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.

(Reporting By Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Vicki Allen)