US diplomats in Vienna complain of mystery illness
Austria and the US are working together to investigate reports that diplomats in Vienna have suffered from mysterious health problems.
US diplomatic staff have previously reported cases of an unexplained illness in countries such as Cuba and Russia.
Staff have suffered nausea, physical pain and even brain damage, and US scientists say the cases could be the result of attacks using microwave radiation.
The New Yorker has reported that two dozen US operatives in Vienna have suffered from the illness since Joe Biden became President in January.
Many foreign diplomats live and work in the Austrian capital and negotiations between Iran and world powers aimed at restoring the 2015 nuclear deal have been taking place in the city.
Austria’s Foreign Ministry, which lists 158 US diplomats as being posted in Vienna, said it was working with US authorities to investigate the cause of the illness.
“We take these reports very seriously. The safety of the diplomats sent to Austria and their families is our top priority,” it said.
A US State Department representative said Washington was “vigorously investigating” the reports.
They said the employees who suffered unexplained health problems received immediate medical attention.
An unexplained illness was first reported by US diplomatic staff in Cuba between 2017 and 2017.
Scientists have suggested it was caused by directed microwave weapons.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last month that the Biden administration was “committed to getting to the bottom of this”.
The subject was raised during discussions between Mr Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting last month in Switzerland.
Major powers such as the US and Russia have many delegates in Vienna because it is home to several international organisations.
Both countries are part of efforts to return Washington to the nuclear agreement with Iran, which former US president Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018.
Iran responded to the US departure by breaching the limits on its nuclear activity that it agreed to under the deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
On Saturday, US negotiator Robert Malley said the talks in Vienna were at an impasse, which he blamed on Iran.
“We stand ready to return to Vienna to complete work on a mutual return to the JCPOA once Iran has made the necessary decisions,” he said.