The first stage of a potential peace agreement between Iran and the United States could involve both sides returning to the status quo before the conflict began.

Axar.az informs, citing CNN, that although the second round of talks has not yet taken place, the two sides "are not as far apart as they seem."

Intense diplomacy continues behind the scenes, the sources say, and ongoing talks are centered around a staged process in which the first part of a potential deal would focus on returning to the status quo before the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions or tolls.

The issue of Iran’s nuclear program – which both the US and Israel cited as their casus belli – would be addressed later.

According to the sources, mediators are applying pressure on both sides to reach an agreement, with the next few days being especially crucial. Hanging over it all is the chance that the US may decide to disengage and return to war.