Trump Says Gulf Investment Deals Replace Hormuz Fee Proposal, Signals More Iran Sanctions

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he had abandoned his plan to charge a transit fee on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while signaling possible additional sanctions on Iran and outlining a stronger US-Iraq energy partnership. Trump made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House. He said that he had dropped his proposal to charge vessels a fee for using the Strait of Hormuz after Gulf allies offered to expand investment in the US instead. "The Gulf states are going to invest a tremendous amount of money into the United States, and that was very satisfactory to me," Trump said. Trump said he gave Iran an opportunity to reach an agreement before blaming Tehran for derailing negotiations. "I wanted to give them a chance at making a deal... We had a deal two days ago. It was done... and they shot first, and that was a big mistake," Trump said. Trump said lawmakers are considering expanding pending Russia sanctions legislation to include Iran and Hezbollah. "They may be adding Iran to it... they may add Hezbollah too," he said. On Iraq, Trump said US oil companies are rapidly expanding partnerships in Iraq as.