WASHINGTON — U.S. intelligence has found no evidence linking a foreign power to the mysterious ''Havana syndrome'' injuries reported by some U.S. diplomats and other government personnel, though two agencies now say it's possible a foreign adversary may have developed or even deployed a weapon responsible for the injuries.
The conclusion, which echoes early investigations, follows a review conducted by seven intelligence agencies or departments that examined cases of brain injuries and other symptoms reported by American diplomats and other military and government staffers, who have raised questions about the involvement of a foreign adversary.
In the new assessment released by U.S. intelligence on Friday, five of the seven agencies concluded that it is very unlikely that a foreign adversary was behind the injuries.
Two of the agencies, however, reached a different conclusion, determining that there is a possibility that a foreign power may have developed or even used a weapon capable of causing the reported injuries. Such a device would presumably rely on acoustic energy, microwaves or another kind of directed energy.
Symptoms that include headaches, balance problems and difficulties with thinking and sleep were first reported in Cuba in 2016 — leading to the label ''Havana Syndrome'' — and later by hundreds of American personnel in multiple countries.
The Biden administration has faced pressure to investigate following the reports from U.S. personnel of significant brain injuries and other symptoms after being targeted by what some have suggested is an effort to harass and injure Americans working overseas. But officials have been unable to find an explanation.
In the new assessment, the two agencies, which officials did not identify, did not find evidence linking any specific episode to technology developed by Russia or another country but based their findings on understandings of foreign weapon development and capability.
One of the agencies found there was a ''roughly even chance'' that a foreign government used such a weapon or prototype device in a ''small, undetermined'' number of cases affecting U.S. personnel.