A warning US ships could encounter mines, missiles and small boat attacks if they try to shepherd commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Donald Trump has announced 'Project Freedom' - a plan that will involve 15,000 service members and 100 military aircraft. 

Massey University Centre for Defence and Security Studies' John Battersby says there are many unknowns.  

"We can't guarantee that they can protect from that kind of attack, and that's going to weigh on commercial operators. Do we run this risk? Have we got enough confidence in the Americans that we're safe?" 

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