Murphy Lands in Middle East as Iran War Rages On

DOHA, QATAR - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after arriving in Doha, Qatar on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, where he will also visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sen. Murphy is the first Democratic Senator to visit the Gulf since the start of the Iran War.

"I want to see firsthand the impact of the Iran War, the damage it's caused to our facilities in the region, and how it's harmed our relationships with partners in the region.

"We know that Donald Trump has no clear plan to resolve the Iran War, which has now cost the American taxpayer over $45 billion. Pete Hegseth has been hiding the cost of the war, the extent of its damages, and the loss of American life from the public and from Congress.

"I plan to see for myself the damage to American facilities, hear from our partners in the Gulf about how this war has hurt their security and their economies, and assess our regional counterterrorism efforts.

"With Democrats on the verge of regaining control in Washington, it's imperative that we offer a new approach to our policy in the Gulf that reflects America's interests. This trip will help inform the construction of a new approach to the region.

"I look forward to sharing more upon my return."

A media availability will occur upon return and be advised next week.

A video statement from Sen. Murphy is available here.