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Cuba sonic attacks could prompt U.S. to close embassy in Havana: Tillerson

Click to play video: 'Secret “sonic weapon” could be giving diplomats in Cuba brain injuries'
Secret “sonic weapon” could be giving diplomats in Cuba brain injuries
WATCH: Secret “sonic weapon” could be giving diplomats in Cuba brain injuries – Aug 24, 2017

The United States is considering closing its embassy in Havana in response to an alleged sonic attack on U.S. personnel in Cuba, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Sunday.

“We have it under evaluation,” Tillerson said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” program. “It’s a very serious issue with respect to the harm that certain individuals have suffered.”

READ MORE: Cuban president Raul Castro equally baffled by ‘sonic attacks’ on diplomats

Five Republican senators on Friday called for the Trump administration to retaliate against the Cuban government by expelling Cuban diplomats and possibly shuttering the U.S. embassy there over attacks that began in late 2016.

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The State Department said in August that Americans linked to the U.S. embassy in Havana had experienced physical symptoms from “incidents” involving sound waves. Five Canadians were also affected.

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WATCH: U.S. expels 2 Cuban diplomats after incidents in Cuba

Click to play video: 'U.S. expels 2 Cuban diplomats after incidents in Cuba'
U.S. expels 2 Cuban diplomats after incidents in Cuba

Symptoms included nausea, dizziness and temporary loss of hearing or memory.

Cuba, the United States and Canada have investigated the attacks, but the probe has not yielded any answers about how they were carried out or who was responsible for them.

READ MORE: Canada not assuming Cuba set up sonic attacks against Canadian, U.S. diplomats

Cuba has denied involvement. The U.S. State Department has not blamed Havana for the attacks but asked two Cuban diplomats to leave Washington in May.

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