The New York Times reported on Monday evening that US President Donald Trump has formally notified Congress of the resumption of military operations against Iran.
Trump had said that the Strait of Hormuz is "open and will remain open," whether Iran exists or not, stressing that the United States will take charge of protecting the strategic waterway.
Trump said America will be the "guardian of the Strait of Hormuz," adding that it will be compensated at a rate of 20% on all shipments transported through the strait, and that the operation will begin immediately.
Earlier on Monday, the US president had stated that the United States would most likely take control of the Strait of Hormuz and that it must be compensated for managing this vital waterway.
Trump added, during a phone interview on the "Fox & Friends" programme on Fox News: "We will control the strait, and perhaps run it. We will become the guardian of the strait, and perhaps be called the guardian angel of the strait, and we must be compensated for that."