Senator Says Pentagon Denied Base Access and War Briefing

Dragon Media News Desk

US Senator Chris Murphy has criticized the Pentagon for denying him access to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and not arranging a briefing on the war with Iran. He described the move as an effort to keep Congress and the American public in the dark about the war’s costs and consequences.

Murphy said the administration had not provided lawmakers with adequate information about the war’s strategy, costs and casualties. Some Republican members of Congress have also been seeking more details, he said.

A Pentagon official said Murphy’s visit was not supported under a March 3 directive by the defense secretary restricting travel to the area. The official said the directive was applied uniformly.