During a brief stop in Riyadh, Senator Chris Murphy told a small group of journalists that the Pentagon blocked his request to tour Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, citing a campaign to keep war costs hidden.
The base has been hit by Iranian drones and missiles since the US‑Israel offensive began in February, making it a critical front in the conflict.
Army Chief of Staff General Pete Hegseth told reporters that the base’s security protocols preclude public tours, but he offered no alternative briefing.
In contrast, Secretary of State Marco Rubio arranged Murphy’s visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, arranging meetings with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Murphy warned that his experience is unprecedented in Senate history and urged Republican colleagues to demand an end to the ‘obfuscation’ that keeps war costs hidden.
He plans to submit a letter to the House Armed Services Committee requesting a formal inquiry into the Pentagon’s denial of access and a comprehensive report on the war’s financial impact.