Trump: "Operation Freedom" begins in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday

US President Donald Trump has promised that the US will begin guiding ships "safely" out of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday morning.

"Again, these are ships from areas of the world that are not in any way involved in what is currently happening in the Middle East," Trump said.

"I have told my representatives to inform them that we will do our best to ensure that the ships and their crews exit the Strait safely," he added.

"In all cases, they said they will not return until the area is made safe for navigation and everything else. This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle Eastern time," Trump continued.

"This is simply intended to exonerate people, companies and countries who have done absolutely nothing wrong - They are victims of circumstance," according to Trump.

Trump added that this is a "humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, the countries of the Middle East, but, in particular, the country of Iran."

But, he said that if this "humanitarian process is interfered with" in any way, it "will have to be dealt with forcefully."

The Geopost