Feeling their oats from the recent agreement to set aside their differences and work together, the European Union's big three military powers decided to resolve the crisis looming over Iran's nuclear program.

France's Dominique de Villepin, Germany's Joscha Fischer and Britain's Jack Straw banded together and paid a sudden visit to Teheran. And surprise, surprise, they walked away with an agreement. According to the reports, Iran agreed to stop their uranium enrichment program and allow more intrusive inspections by the international community (Read about it here).

This naturally makes us wonder what these EU governments promised Iran in return. Well, as far as American and Israeli interests are concerned, it appears the EU may have signed away the family farm. Not only does the agreement allow Iran to continue developing their nuclear program, it provides EU help in doing so. The report says:

Yesterday's agreement explicitly recognizes Iran's right to develop a civil nuclear industry and raises the prospect of co-operation with Europe to provide "easier access to modern technology and supplies."

Now France's Dominique de Villepin and Germany's Joscha Fischer are holding hands and dancing in circles. What's Britain's Jack Straw doing? He appears to be standing back in a bit of bewilderment, wondering what it was they accomplished. 

How about the EU's supposed High Representative of Common Foreign Policy, Javier Solana? Where was he in all of this? On the surface it would appear he wasn't even involved in this agreement. This was the so-called "big three" doing their thing. 

This brings up a good question: Did the big three upstage Solana? Well, according to this report, Solana was asked this question. Here's how he responded:

I have talked with the three ministers a while ago. The situation apparently is very very constructive, very positive, and we hope very much that those agreements will be implemented (Read about it here).

Here's what I think: This agreement made by the big three would never have been possible without the extensive diplomatic groundwork previously laid by Solana. In fact, when the Bush administration labeled Iran a member of the "axis of evil" and called for the international community to isolate Iran, Solana set the EU on a course of developing closer relations with Iran instead.

So, while the big three's foreign ministers are on stage taking all the applause, Solana -- the person resposible for their success -- is once again left to stand in the wings and watch.

Stay tuned.