(April 11, 2006)--A White House spokesman calls Tuesday’s word from Iran that it has enriched uranium more proof that the country "is moving in the wrong direction."

The U.S. and other countries have tried to block Iran from the step, which can make fuel for nuclear reactors and nuclear weapon components.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a nationally televised speech Tuesday "Iran has joined the club of nuclear countries."

He says Iran isn't making weapons and wants to operate under supervision from the International
Atomic Energy Agency.

The nuclear agency's leader is due in Tehran this week.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan says the enrichment claims will "only further isolate" the country.

And the American ambassador to the UN says the announcement shows Iran isn't "paying any attention to" the U-N Security Council.

Meanwhile Tuesday, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said he won't go into "fantasy land" to speculate about a possible U.S. attack on Iran.

Rumsfeld insists the U.S. is "on a diplomatic track" to counter Iran's disputed nuclear ambitions and its support for terrorists.

Rumsfeld also refused to comment on Iran's claim Tuesday that it has successfully enriched uranium for the first time.

The defense secretary says he'll "wait and see" what U.S. experts have to say.

On Monday, President Bush dismissed reports that the Pentagon was planning to target Iran as "wild speculation."