UPDATED 7:29 AM EST, February 15, 2013
Iran has begun installation of advanced IR2-m centrifuges in its Natanz facility, an act that Reuters observes will "annoy the West." The move is also likely to damage the position of pro-engagement analysts and officials, who have long argued that diplomats can afford to let Iran drag out negotiations because Western intelligence agencies would be able to detect an attempt to sneak across the finish line with sufficient time to intervene. The accelerated enrichment provided by the new centrifuges dramatically shortens the time it would take Iran to create weapons-grade nuclear material.
