The Wire - February 3, 2026

//The Wire//2300Z February 3, 2026//
//ROUTINE//
//BLUF: US NAVY SHOOTS DOWN IRANIAN DRONE NEAR THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN CSG. IRANIAN FORCES ATTEMPT TO HIJACK STRATEGIC AMERICAN OIL TANKER. CHINESE BIOLAB RAIDED AT RESIDENCE IN LAS VEGAS.//

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-International Events-

Middle East: This afternoon the US Navy shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln CSG, as it was conducting maneuvers off the coast of Oman. No further details have been provided on the shootdown, though Iranian forces have continued drone surveillance of American forces in the region.

Earlier this morning, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) reported an incident in the Strait of Hormuz, involving unidentified forces in small boats hailing a commercial vessel in an attempt to persuade the vessel to stop. This vessel was later identified as the M/T *STENA IMPERATIVE*, and the ship was escorted through the Strait by an American warship.

Analyst Comment: Iranian forces hijacking ships is an extremely common occurrence throughout the region, but trying to snatch the STENA IMPERATIVE was a bold move. This is not just any random oil tanker, this vessel is one of the main ships in the US Navy's Tanker Security Program, serving as one of the main vessels transporting fuel and oil around the world for the US Navy. As such, the Iranians attempting to target a strategic military resource, on the same day that negotiations began regarding their nuclear program, is probably not a wise move when it comes to avoiding American airstrikes.

-HomeFront-

Minnesota: The checkpoints that were established over the weekend in south Minneapolis were dismantled by the Minneapolis Police Department yesterday evening. No arrests were made at the scene.

Throughout the Twin Cities intelligence collection efforts continue, as ICEWatch activists remain observant for ICE activity. More direct crimes are also being committed as well, as activists have begun lasing Border Patrol aircraft, continuing a tactic that has been used in other far-left strongholds throughout the nation. 

Nevada: Yesterday, details came to light regarding a raid that was conducted by the FBI at a residential address in Las Vegas on Saturday. During the raid, centrifuges and freezers allegedly containing samples of infectious diseases were found at this location, along with approximately 1,000 dead mice. One individual, Ori Solomon, was arrested at the scene, and is assessed to be the property manager for this facility.

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Analyst Comments: The kingpin involved in the Nevada biolab appears to be David He, also known as Jiabei "Jesse" Zhu...the same individual presently indicted for setting up similar biological facilities in Reedley, California back in 2022. During that initial investigation, Jessie was indicted for allegedly selling fake COVID test kits. However, after the story went viral, it eventually became clear that a number of suspects were not actually making fake medical devices (as they were initially charged with)...they were actually running a clandestine biological weapons facility. The Reedley Lab was investigated by multiple entities, to include a Congressional Committee that was stood up to investigate this location.

The Reedley Biolab was found to be running multiple illegal biological research projects, all of which appeared to be weaponizing diseases such as tuberculosis, Ebola, and agricultural blight, for release within the United States. As this 2022 case is still being prosecuted, not many details have been made public, beyond the initial DoJ notice on the arrests. At the time of this earlier case, the CDC famously did not cooperate with the investigation, did not test all samples, and tried to cover up the incident altogether (as indicated by the Congressional report, at least). 

Perhaps the most