Murphy Denied Access to Military Facility by Hegseth in Unprecedented Move, Meets with Saudi Crown Prince

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - As Saudi Arabia is under heightened security risk amid the Iran War, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued the following statements after departing Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, where he also visited Doha, Qatar.

In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) under Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership denied Murphy access to the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, despite decades of precedent for DOD supporting CODELs to American military bases under active threat to uphold Congress's oversight duties. Prior to his CODEL, Murphy requested access to the base via a letter and direct appeal to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) leadership to no avail. While DOD denied him access to U.S. military facilities, the U.S. Department of State supported Murphy's trip to the region.

"This is one of our biggest and most important facilities in the Gulf region. I've been to the Middle East at least a dozen times as a Member of Congress, and I've never been denied access to military facilities. This is part of a coordinated, deliberate campaign by the Department of Defense to hide the consequences and the true costs of the Iran war," said Murphy of the denial.

Murphy also met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia.

"I've been a vocal critic of Saudi Arabia and the Crown Prince. But, I think it's important to be here to disagree and be honest and candid about those disagreements. It's important to recognize there are things we need to work on together: ending the war in Iran and a pathway to Palestinian statehood. We had an honest, provocative conversation, particularly about the Gulf countries' decisions to invest in the Trump family. It's important for the Crown Prince to hear not just from the Trump Administration, but from people who want a different path," said Murphy of the meeting.

Additionally, Murphy met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud; toured the damage done to the U.S. embassy in Riyadh; engaged with economic and cultural leaders; and talked with University of New Haven students at the first American university campus in Saudi Arabia, among other things.

In Qatar, Murphy met with His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Additionally, Murphy met with Ali Al Thawadi, Qatari Minister for Strategic Affairs and a key diplomat who coordinates U.S.-Iran shuttle diplomacy; Qatari royal and Qatar Foundation Vice Chair Sheikha Hind Al Thani in Education City to discuss the presence of American universities in Qatar; and Qatar Energy CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, among others.

Sen. Murphy is the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the start of the Iran War.