Murphy Departs Qatar After Key Diplomatic Meetings, Including With The Emir Of Qatar

DOHA, QATAR – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statements after departing Doha, Qatar on a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) trip to the Middle East, where he will also visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “It’s important for members of the Senate to see the damage that has been done to U.S. facilities firsthand… I’m meeting with regional partners, in particular the Qataris and the Saudis, to talk about the impact of the Iran War… and to pull back and think about what our approach should be to the Gulf going forward,” said Sen. Murphy upon arrival. In Qatar, Murphy met with His Highness the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. “There are so many things Qatar does to protect U.S. interests. They host our biggest military base in the region. They house 1000 Afghan refugees (that Trump refuses to let into the U.S.). They were key to getting the hostages out of Gaza. And they are mediators right now in the effort to end the war with Iran. I thanked the Emir for all of this. Qatar is and will remain an essential ally of the United States. Of course, I was also candid with him, in particular regarding my deep concerns about the transfer of the luxury plane. It was a very good, honest discussion,” said Murphy of his meeting with the Emir. 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. A media availability will occur upon return and be advised later this week.