CIA Admits So Far No Evidence Russia Or Other Foreign Agents Were Responsible For Havana Syndrome

JAKARTA - The US intelligence agency CIA said it was so far unlikely that Russia or other foreign agents had caused the majority of anomalous health incidents that US diplomats and intelligence agents experience around the world, an official said Thursday.

The official, explaining the conclusions of the interim report on the so-called Havana Syndrome, said the majority of the 1.000 cases "could reasonably be explained by medical conditions or environmental and technical factors, including previously undiagnosed disease."

"We have so far found no evidence of involvement of state actors in any incidents," the official said.

"These findings do not call into question the fact that our officers reported real experiences and suffered real symptoms," the official continued.

However, the CIA is continuing to investigate two dozen unexplained cases that could provide further clues as to whether a foreign country was involved, added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"We do not rule out the involvement of foreign actors in this case," the official continued.

Separately, speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken promised the US Government would continue to investigate the matter.

"We will not leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of it," said Foreign Minister Blinken, who is in Berlin as part of a series of meetings on Russia and Ukraine.

The mysterious illness Havana Syndrome, first reported among US officials in the Cuban capital in 2016, has attacked US diplomats, officials, and family members abroad. Symptoms include migraines, nausea, memory lapses, and dizziness.

"We will continue to do all we can with all the resources we can bring in to understand, once again, what happened, why and who might be responsible," Foreign Minister Blinken stressed, adding that the State Department would continue to focus on making sure those who suffer get the health care they need.

CIA Director William Burns made a similar promise.

"While we have reached some significant interim findings, we are not done yet," Burns said in a statement.

"We will continue our mission to investigate this incident and provide access to world-class care for those who need it," he promised.