The two weeks ceasefire between US and Iran that was brokered by Pakistan is being widely hailed as it pulled the US-Isreali war on Iran from the brink of a precipice.

Evidently this sudden cessation of hostility when the war was in the phase of incremental escalation has taken the world by surprise. Both the warring parties have projected the ceasefire as a victory.

US spin doctors are claiming Trump’s threats in a menacing message on social media on Tuesday, where he threatened “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again”.

However, there’s more to this ceasefire than meets the eye. The minutes of the statement by Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi suggests that the ceasefire is a strategic victory for Iran.

The terms of the ceasefire have not only legitimized Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz but have also tilted the forthcoming negotiations decisively in favour of Iran.

Agragchi’s has expressly stated that Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz is an important condition for the ceasefire. Stating, “For a period of two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces and with due consideration of technical limitations.”

The statement consolidates Iranian position not only the region of the West Asian Gulf region but will also go a long way in eroding the US led sanction regime on Iran.

Assertion of Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz during ceasefire underscores the changed power equation between Iran and US in West Asia. With the decline efficacy of American military might to determine negotiations it is reasonable to conclude that Iranian stand on the Strait cannot be ignored in the post war settlement. The Gulf nations and Isreal will have to live with the reality of a resurgent Iran and the rise of Iran, Russia and China axis in West Asia.

Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz will be an important tool to influence Asian and European economies, to re-initiate trade ties with Iran or risk jeopardizing their energy security.

Even on the diplomatic front Iran has a secured a distinct strategic advantage. It is a well-known fact that the terms of negotiations have a significant impact on the outcome. In this backdrop Iranian success in setting the terms of its negotiations with the US are decisive. It’s not entirely fortuitous that Mr. Abbas Araghchi unequivocally stated that the acceptance of the two weeks ceasefire was contingent on Trump’s acceptance “of the general framework of Iran’s 10-point proposal as a basis for negotiations”.

Iranian successes in this clash with US-Isreali coalition is a demonstration of asymmetric engagement militarily, economically and diplomatically. Iranian maneuvers are a veritable guide for the countries of the global south on how to convert their weakness into strength when challenged by the economically and militarily powerful West.

• Kumar Sanjay Singh is Associate Professor of Department of History, Swami Shraddhanand College, Delhi University.