Washington, July 13 (QNA) - US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States is in the process of taking control of the Strait of Hormuz and securing it to ensure the free flow of international shipping.

Trump made the remarks in an interview with Fox News.

"We're in the process of taking over the strait. They have nothing. They have nothing," the US president said.

Trump said the United States had protected the strategic waterway for 50 years without compensation, adding that Washington would impose transit fees on vessels passing through the strait if negotiations fail.

He described Iran's previous attempts to collect transit fees as unacceptable and a change in the "rules of the game."

Trump also said the memorandum of understanding signed several weeks ago was merely an extension of the ceasefire rather than a final agreement. He warned that the United States could launch new military strikes against Iran if Tehran continued the activities of its regional proxies.

In April, Iran and the United States reached a ceasefire agreement, brokered primarily by Pakistan, more than a month after fighting erupted on Feb. 28.

On June 17, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding that included provisions to end the fighting across multiple fronts, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and begin negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement within a 60-day period, with the option of an extension.

Hostilities resumed last Tuesday following attacks on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. (QNA)