US senator briefed on Trump's plans to restart Iran war says proposal is 'insane'

Chris Murphy says the plan could target civilian infrastructure and 'lead to devastating escalation' US Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) speaks during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on US President Donald Trump's supplemental funding request for the defence department, in Washington, DC, on 21 July 2026 (Eric Lee/Reuters) Published date: 29 October 2026 19:59 GMT | Last update: 11 sec ago Senator Chris Murphy says he has been briefed on the US's plan to restart the war on Iran, calling it "insane" and saying it would lead to a "devastating escalation". "You've heard a preview that it would be a short-duration plan. I'll just say this: their plan is insane," Murphy said, speaking at an event organised by the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC, on Wednesday. "It will lead to devastating escalation and the likely destruction of our commitment to the rule of law." Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations committees, made the comments after American media reported on Wednesday that the US warned several Gulf Arab countries to be prepared for a short, intense military offensive against Iran after the US midterm elections on 3 November. The warning sent by diplomatic and military channels is the latest indication that the US and Israel are preparing to launch another round of attacks against Iran, in an effort to weaken Tehran and force it to negotiations, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "There's been open reporting as to what we may be planning and the civilian infrastructure we may be targeting," Murphy said. "They've been asked by the president to develop a plan - whether they believe it will work or not, I do not know. But the plan that they have developed will lead, in my view, to a prolongment and an escalation of this war that will be devastating for our security interests. "We are seeing the president ready another devastating military campaign after the election, just as illegal as the first iteration was at the time, where Americans are fed up with this war." Murphy spoke at the Middle East Institute about his trip to Qatar and Saudi Arabia earlier this month, assessing the war's impact on the region. He is the first Democratic senator to visit the region since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February. Murphy met with leaders including Qatar's emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The WSJ reported that US forces have been restocking their munitions in the region, and bomber aircraft and jet fighters are preparing for attacks, according to officials. It also reported that the US military is moving a Patriot missile defence system from Texas to Israel to support defences, according to flight-tracking data and two officials. The Patriot system includes radar equipment, missile launchers and interceptor missiles. Next month, an aircraft carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit will also join around 20 other warships operating in the Middle East, the report said. Last week, the US press also reported that US troops and diplomats have been evacuating posts in the Middle East. NBC News reported that the State Department ordered a further reduction in staff at diplomatic posts in the region. 'A cover-up' Murphy said during his trip that he was part of a number of classified briefings and spoke to military leadership about the damage and "the reality" there. US warns Gulf of intense strikes on Iran after midterms: Report Read More » "Our base in Bahrain is obliterated; it is not usable, and our base in Qatar is usable but at a much lower level capacity, and it is pretty clear that we still don't have the ability to protect any of our diplomats or our troops... right now," he said. Murphy added that he saw first-hand the US's "cover-up" in hiding the cost of war. "The trip was incredibly valuable, not just to get a sense of how rattled the entire region is, but to really see first-hand a cover-up that is underway, a dizzying and coordinated attempt to try to hide from the American people and from Congress the costs and the consequences of this war," he said. "It's like nothing I've ever seen in my now 20 years in the United States Congress." The Pentagon told Congress last week that the US-Israeli war on Iran, now in its eighth month, had cost the US $47.1bn through 16 October, a rise from the previous $37.5bn cited by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Bombs, missiles and other types of ammunition made up over 60 percent of the total costs. US President Donald Trump hasn't made a final decision yet, but is inclined towards launching a major attack that could target Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites, according to several reports. "We may do another little Epic Fury," Trump said at a rally in Florida last week, using the US military's term for its war on Iran. Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.