An unnamed senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that Iran "will never give up" its right to enrich uranium, that "no negotiations" are currently underway with the United States, and that the US nuclear plan proposal "contradicts" Iran's demands. Following the news, Brent crude prices quickly surged past $102 per barrel. On the same day, according to CCTV News, Hossein Naghdi, an advisor to the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed and Iran will soon block "illegal shipping lanes" in the strait, a situation that will continue until Iran's legitimate demands are met.