A U.S. senator says his recent trip to the Gulf marked an unprecedented moment in his two decades in Congress

A U.S. senator says his recent trip to the Gulf marked an unprecedented moment in his two decades in Congress.

Sen. Chris Murphy said the Pentagon denied him access to the U.S. military facilities and prevented him from meeting with military leaders while he was visiting the region.

Murphy attributed the decision to an order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he believes the restrictions are being applied to lawmakers from both political parties.

He accused the Pentagon of limiting congressional oversight and argued that the restrictions could prevent lawmakers and the public from fully understanding the financial and human costs of the Iran war.

The Pentagon, however, said Murphy’s office had been informed in advance that the department would not support his access to the base, citing a March 3 directive from Hegseth restricting travel in the region.

Murphy said he had never experienced anything like it during his time in the Senate and called for bipartisan scrutiny of the Pentagon’s approach.