NIS sees US-Iran conflict entering lull phase by end of April

South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS) has reported to the National Assembly that the conflict between the U.S. and Iran is expected to enter a de-escalation phase by the end of April, depending on the extent of U.S. airstrikes. The assessment was disclosed on April 6 during a briefing by lawmakers Park Sun-won of the Democratic Party and Lee Sung-kwon of the People Power Party, who serve as secretaries for the Intelligence Committee, Kookje Shinmun reported. According to the NIS, the U.S. is struggling to convert its tactical military victories into a political surrender from Iran. Meanwhile, Iran is leveraging its control over energy supply chains but faces a strategic dilemma due to unsuccessful negotiations via Pakistan and is deliberating on how to respond to U.S. demands to abandon its nuclear program. The NIS concluded that the outcome of intensive U.S. airstrikes over the next three to four days will determine whether the conflict moves into a lull by the end of the month.