washington seven u.s. senators urge secretary state john kerry thursday press bahrain government promote political social reform add recent concern washington country human right record letter say unite state prepare consider tangible consequences include reconsider arm sales recent crackdown opposition continue bahrain failure address legitimate grievances citizens strain country social fabric invite outside actors take advantage deteriorate situation six democratic lawmakers one republican say letter kerry former democratic senator indeed believe government harsh crackdown political opposition undermine country stability play hand iran write call deeply alarm state department spokesman john kirby say aware report letter see ask whether u.s. arm provide bahrain could use opposition say always concern end use items inside foreign military sales program bahrain host unite state fifth fleet see sunni-ruled gulf kingdoms strategic bulwark iranian influence draw u.s. unite nations criticism month move strip top shi ite cleric citizenship close main shi ite opposition group state department report first report reuters find bahrain national reconciliation efforts crush street protest 2011 stall say western ally gulf implement recommendations protect freedom expression continue urge government bahrain reverse recent harmful action kirby say news brief thursday early week state department say bahrain plan try activist tweet condemn prison system involvement war yemen worrisome unite state letter lead democratic senator chris murphy also sign republican marco rubio democrats patrick leahy ron wyden bob casey chris coons tim kaine ask information specific action president barack obama administration take press bahrain leadership issue u.s. lawmakers push action human right bahrain