Michael Allen, a former White House adviser in the Bush administration, said Iran still appears to be in the hands of a hardliners which could mean a more drawn-out conflict and make striking a deal difficult. US President Donald Trump repeated threats to destroy Iranian energy assets if the Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened soon, raising fears the war could escalate after more American troops arrived in the region. The US "is in serious discussions" with what he called a new regime in Iran to end military operations, Trump said in a social-media post on Monday. But if a deal isn't reached and Hormuz reopened, "we will conclude our lovely "stay" in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)."