WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal issued text of the following press release:
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today called on Commander of U.S. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper to protect and support U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed commercial vessels currently operating in the Persian Gulf amid ongoing hostilities with Iran. In a letter sent today to Admiral Cooper, Blumenthal raised concerns about the safety of crews aboard these vessels, which are reportedly rationing water and provisions while operating under sustained psychological and operational stress.
"The United States has long recognized the strategic importance of its civilian mariners and maritime workforce...