Iranian official vows to "never give up" uranium enrichment rights, denies US-Iran "negotiations", and threatens to block the "illegal route" of the Strait of Hormuz

Brent crude oil surged past $102 per barrel as prospects for US-Iran nuclear negotiations were once again overshadowed.

An Iranian senior official told Reuters on Wednesday that Iran will "never give up" its right to enrich uranium, and currently there are "no negotiations" with the United States underway. The official also noted that the proposals made by the US regarding Iran's nuclear program were "contrary" to Iran's demands. Following the news, Brent crude prices quickly rose above $102 per barrel.

According to Reuters, a senior Iranian official made it clear that the US recognizing Iran's right to enrich uranium is Tehran's "red line." Iran "will never give up" this right, though the specific details and scale of enrichment could be negotiated later.

The official also emphasized that Washington must first meet Tehran's preconditions before the nuclear issue can be put on the agenda. He characterized the recent relevant proposal outlined by US Vice President Vance as the US's "ideas and demands," and not as the basis for bilateral negotiations.

According to Xinhua News Agency, US Vice President Vance said in a media interview on the 5th that Iran must "substantially" reduce its uranium enrichment capability to meet US demands and to end the months-long conflict between the US and Iran.

In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Vance stated that the US remains “open” to reaching a deal with Iran, on the condition that Iran takes concrete action to reduce its current uranium enrichment capability, rather than merely promising to develop a reduction plan in the future. He stressed that the US does not intend to take corresponding actions based solely on Iran's verbal commitments.

Vance said that the US is negotiating with Iranian President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi. According to the report, Iran and the United States have conducted negotiations in recent weeks regarding ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, among other topics.

While nuclear negotiations remain stalled, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated once again.

Naghd, advisor to the Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, told Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency that the soon-to-be-closed "illegal channel" refers to the southern passage adjacent to the Omani coast, which he said was created by blasting through rock and is mostly used for smuggling oil and transferring it to tankers.

Another Revolutionary Guard advisor, Majid Mirahmadi, previously stated that the current average number of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz per day is about 10, compared to around 125 per day before the war.

According to preliminary data from ship tracking agency Kpler, as of September 30, the region’s crude oil exports had a seven-day moving average of 18.3 million barrels per day, with 14 days in September recording export amounts above pre-war levels, including ship-to-ship transfers via the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Oman.

Analysts point out that although September’s export volumes rebounded, sustained attacks on tankers by Iran and logistical constraints remain unresolved, leading to doubts as to whether higher export levels can be maintained.

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