Trump, in a social media post on Monday AEST, said that "neutral and innocent" countries have been affected by the Iran war, and "we have told these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business".
He said "Project Freedom" would begin Monday morning in the Middle East.
He added that his representatives are having discussions with Iran that could lead to something “very positive for all".
The US-Israel alliance launched attacks on Iran on 28 February, killing Iran's supreme leader.
Iran responded with strikes on US military bases and Israeli targets in the region.
A ceasefire came into effect on 8 April , and there has been one round of direct peace talks in Islamabad since, with the two countries deadlocked.
Iran has maintained a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz since the war began, choking off major flows of oil, gas and fertiliser to the world economy, while the US has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports .
As of 29 April, more than 900 commercial vessels were located in the Gulf , according to maritime intelligence firm AXSMarine.
There had been more than 1,100 at the start of the conflict.
A cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz said it was attacked by multiple small craft, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre reported overnight, the latest in at least two dozen attacks in and around the strait since the war began.
All crew on the unidentified northbound cargo ship were safe after the attack off Sirik, Iran, east of the strait, the British monitor said.
Iranian officials have asserted that they control the strait and that ships not affiliated with the US or Israel can pass if they pay a toll.
Iran denied....
