19 april 2026. Hormuz. Iran has no intention of sending its negotiators. Left-wing leaders rally in Barcelona

RE: Man vågar inte tänka på vad som skulle hända om fredsprocessen havererar. 2026/04/17

Paul Krugman: The futures markets are closed for the weekend. So let’s see what happens when they reopen Sunday night. 2026/04/18

https://englundmacro.blogspot.com/2026/04/18-april-iran-hormuz-sundet-stangs-igen.html

On Sunday, Trump said negotiators would arrive in Islamabad on Monday.  

But Tasnim News Agency, which is closely linked to Iran’s military and security services, reported that Iran has no intention of sending its negotiators due to the US navy’s continuing blockade of Iranian ports.

Financial Times 19 April 2026 17:11

https://www.ft.com/content/0e51cdea-99df-4913-8c71-03396c4a6faf?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Iranian gunboats fire on tanker

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/18/world/video/us-iran-talks-pakistan-hormuz-robertson-latam-intl

Can Trump finally make a nuclear deal with Iran?

After going to war twice, the US president is again trying to strike a deal on the regime’s uranium enrichment programme

In theory, there is a template for a deal: Iran, which has always denied seeking nuclear weapons, accepts strict limits on its nuclear activity and stringent verification in return for sanctions relief. 

In practice, deep mistrust and wide gaps between the two sides make this a formidable challenge.

FT 18 April 2026

https://www.ft.com/content/7a06181a-310f-4ccb-98e8-3e5c920141d4?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Left-wing leaders rally in Barcelona

Spain, Brazil, Mexico vow to boost Cuba aid amid US threats. Pledged to boost aid efforts for Cuba to ease a humanitarian crisis they say is the result of a US blockade against the Caribbean island nation.

In a joint statement late on Saturday, the three nations also called for dialogue and urged against any military intervention in Cuba, 

adding that the Cuban people must determine their own future.

Sanchez sparked Trump's ire when he refused to allow the US to use Spanish bases as part of American military operations against Iran. 

Trump has also condemned the Spanish leader for refusing to increase military spending form 2% to 5% of GDP.

South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, were also in attendance, among others.

Deutsche Welle 19 April 2026

https://www.dw.com/en/spain-brazil-mexico-vow-to-boost-cuba-aid-amid-us-threats/a-76845646

 “The fightback against Trump’s local fellow travelers secured its biggest victory yet when Hungary’s voters removed Viktor Orban in Sunday’s election.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/newsletters/2026-04-19/populism-vs-pope-leo-xiv-is-no-contest

Hungary Is Making the Right Noises About Joining the Euro

Newly elected Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar just said the quiet bit out loud: It’s time to properly come into the European Union fold and, eventually, adopt the euro.

Bloomberg 15 April 2026

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2026-04-15/hungary-is-making-the-right-noises-about-joining-the-euro

Dagen innan

https://englundmacro.blogspot.com/2026/04/18-april-iran-hormuz-sundet-stangs-igen.html