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U.S. Lifts Economic Sanctions Against Iran; Iran Frees Four U.S. Prisoners in Swap, 5th Separately; Candidates React to Prisoner Swap with Iran; Obama Lifts Iran Sanctions After Certifying Nuclear Compliance; Lifting of Sanctions Means More Trade, Investment in Iran; Bernie Sanders Faces Uphill Climb for SC Black Votes. Aired 5-6p ET

Aired January 16, 2016 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[17:00:06] POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: I want to welcome our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Poppy Harlow in New York.

In a moment, I'll be joined by my colleague Wolf Blitzer as we continue to cover breaking news on what is a historic day in the history of this country and U.S.-Iranian relations. The U.S. sanctions against Iran are now officially over.

President Obama just signed an executive order lifting the sanctions against Iran. This means that Iran has joined a special group of, quote, "peaceful users of nuclear energy" that includes the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China and Russia. We just heard from Secretary of State John Kerry, he says the progress in Iran does not wipe out concerns.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: To get to this point, ladies and gentlemen, Iran has undertaken significant steps that many, and I do mean many, people doubted would ever come to pass. And that should be recognized, even though the full measure of this achievement can only be realized by assuring continued full compliance in the coming years. In return for the steps that Iran has taken, the United States and the E.U. will immediately lift nuclear related sanctions, expanding the horizon of opportunity for the Iranian people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: He also said, and I quote, "Today marks the first day of a safer world." Also today, five American prisoners in Iran set free. They are Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian, American Christian Pastor Saeed Abedini, marine veteran Amir Hekmati, and Nosratollah Khosravi-Roodsari. A fifth American is being released from Iran, as well, who was held there for just a matter of months, a student named Matthew Trevithick.

U.S. officials do note his release is not part of this negotiated prisoner swap, but he will be flying home with those four other Americans. Fourteen months of intense secret negotiations are what led to today, the prisoner swap finalized, the United States also agreeing to drop sanction related charges against seven Iranians being held. At this point we still don't have any names of those Iranians being released. I want to go straight to Washington, my colleague Wolf Blitzer is covering this from there -- Wolf.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Poppy, very historic day, indeed. Our team coverage on this stunning deal covers the globe. I want to go to our international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson, he's in Vienna where the Secretary of State, the Iranian foreign minister, the E.U. representative, they've all been there. Global affairs correspondent Elise Labott is standing by, Jim Sciutto, our chief national security correspondent. But Nic, first to you, the diplomacy that led to all of this taking place behind you in Vienna, they've signed the paperwork, they've signed the deal, the implementation is going forward, the sanctions are being lifted. So far Iran has fully complied with its nuclear related commitments, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: And the director general of that agency said Iran and the IAEA enter a new phase now, a phase whereby there will be more monitoring, there will be additional protocols, that is technical language specification that gives those IAEA inspectors in Iran the right to choose sites that they want to go to, sites that Iran may not have declared nuclear activity. As we heard Secretary Kerry say, one of the three pathways that Iran had to making a weapon is being closed down by virtue of the fact that the inspectors will now have oversight from the beginning of the supply chain, the mines, then the mills where the uranium is taken after it is mined, to the centrifuges and so forth down the whole process.

This is something new and this is what the director general of the IAEA was essentially outlining there, that the U.N. weapons inspectors will now be very busy. He himself will be very busy, Secretary of State John Kerry said that the director general of the IAEA would be going tomorrow to Tehran to begin that process. No time wasted, but the general feeling you get here from all these officials is one of achievement, is one of a job well done, of one acknowledging all those people involved who have put in a lot of hard work. We heard Secretary Kerry thanking the British, the Germans, the French, the Chinese, the Russians of course, his own staff, as well, the Austrians who have hosted so much of this, so there really is a sense here of a big achievement, but, of course, it is up to Iran still despite what it's done so far to live up to its obligations as Secretary Kerry said, over the next five, ten, 15, 25 years and onwards -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes. Almost hard work still remains. This is by no means a done deal. Nic, stand by. Elise Labott is standing by, as well.

Jim Sciutto, I want to show you and our viewers some photos that was just sent us by democratic Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan, it shows the Congressman waiting with the Amir Hekmati family in Michigan, they sure obviously showing some strong emotions. Congressman Kildee has worked really hard to try to free Amir Hekmati, he's a former U.S. marine. You and I have spoken with Congressman Kildee, we spoken with the family several times. When do you think based on what you're hearing they will finally get a chance to see and touch and give a big hug and a kiss to Amir Hekmati? [17:05:43] JIM SCIUTTO, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Our

understanding is that the flight from Iran, and we still don't have confirmation that it is wheels up from Iran, they are waiting for that same confirmation as they await for that news, is they'll go to Switzerland, as you mentioned earlier Wolf, the Swiss authorities, the Swiss ambassador to Iran, he has been key in this investigations, they will fly from Tehran to Switzerland and at some on the lunch to Germany, U.S. military base there for medical checks, et cetera, and it is likely there where the family will be able to meet them, greet them, finally.

And just, let's not underestimate what a painful number of years it has been for the families here. It was four years ago almost to the day, January 9, 2012, when Amir Hekmati, and I'll just remind our viewers, he's a U.S., former U.S. marine, he was sentenced to death by Iran for spying. That death sentence was later commuted, but that's four years ago. He's been in prison since then. They didn't know when he was going to be released. At a time there they thought he might lose his life. This has been a tortured period of time for the Hekmati family, the Abedini family, Saeed Abedini has been in prison there for years, Jason Rezaian, many disappointments over the course of that time when they thought that just maybe he and the others were about to be released and then they were disappointed.

So, I'll tell you, that's one reason why now when I continue to speak to the families, they are waiting for confirmation that that plane is off the ground, out of Iranian air space before they let out a sigh of relief and are confident that they will see them again. And they are, you know, they are waiting for that moment, they've been waiting for it, but I think part of them probably won't believe it until they see it, because of that really tortured period that they've been through for a number of years now.

BLITZER: Now, we're told that as you point out, that Swiss plane will take them from Tehran to Switzerland. Briefly over there, then to launch still in Germany. That's where they'll get some medical treatment and hopefully be reunited with their families, who will be flying over, as well. The State Department clearly onboard all of this, Jim Sciutto stand by.

Elise Labott is also working her sources for us. Elise, this was a very complicated deal. It's going to find -- there's going to be criticism of the deal, as well, the release while everyone here in the United States happy these five American prisoners are coming home, some are suggesting already that the U.S. releasing convicted Iranian prisoners and taking off the watch list wanted for Interpol extradition to the United States 14 others, that that sets a bad precedent. What are you hearing?

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, and you've seen the presidential candidates already seizing on it today. You heard Ted Cruz while celebrating the release of the Americans, I'm also criticizing the fact that these seven individuals, these Iranian individuals, were also released. And you remember, Wolf, when this nuclear deal was announced, the President faced tough criticism, even at a press conference about this deal, that the Americans were being left behind and the President facing some tough questions, and he really pushed back.

And what he couldn't say was that U.S. diplomats, not as part of the deal, but in parallel were secretly negotiating for months the release of these Americans and, of course, the U.S. argues that this nuclear deal, and you heard Secretary Kerry, paved the way, unlocked the negotiations between the U.S. and Iran about these Americans. Now, the majority of these Americans, none of the Iranians, I should say, were charged with or serving time for any violent crimes, any terrorist crimes. The U.S. said the Iranians presented a much more fuller list of Iranian nationals it's wanted to be released. The U.S. will lead to those not responsible for any violent crimes.

The fact that the nuclear deal hasn't been implemented and a lot of these U.S. sanctions that the individuals were serving time for in violation of have now been lifted. The U.S. can argue now that that was a fair trade, that these individuals were not charged with any violent crimes and so it was a good trade to get these Americans back. But the American administration has face this before. You remember with the return of Bowe Bergdahl in return for five Taliban, the U.S. considered terrorists that were serving time at Guantanamo Bay, you remember with Alan Gross who was released from Cuba, the U.S. also released several Cubans serving in U.S. jails. So clearly the U.S. faces a lot of criticism about this, but they would argue that they will not leave an American behind and if they have to make some deals, that they are willing to do that -- Wolf.

[17:10:32] BLITZER: We're going to have Elise Labott, Jim Sciutto, Nic Robertson, everyone stand by. We're getting more information once again. We're also standing by to hear from the President of the United States. We heard from the Secretary of State, the Iranian foreign minister, the E.U. representative, we're going to be hearing from a lot of politicians here in the United States, Republican presidential candidates, they are weighing in right now very forcefully. We'll have more on their reaction and all the breaking news right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:13:35] HARLOW: Welcome back to our continuing coverage of the breaking news and the prisoner swap with Iran. Of course, it's also become instantly fodder on the campaign trail. Candidates on both sides of the aisle certainly pleased to see five Americans freed by Iran, but Senator Marco Rubio, well, he talked about the broader deal and slammed the broader nuclear negotiations and agreement with the United States. Ted Cruz today called it propaganda.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And let me say, there is a false moral equivalence in a deal like this. Pastor Saeed was in prison for the crime of preaching the gospel. He shouldn't have been there. Amir Hekmati, a U.S. marine, shouldn't have been there in that prison. Jason Rezaian, a reporter who was in prison for reporting on the news shouldn't have been there. And so while we celebrate their return, this deal serves as a piece of propaganda for both Iran and the Obama administration. SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: These reports are

true, of course, we're happy for them and their families, but they should have never been there. And the fact of the matter is, this tells us all we need to know about the Iranian regime, that they can take people hostage in order to gain concessions. And the fact that they can get away with it with this administration is one of the reasons I think it's created an incentive for more governments to do this around the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: CNN political commentators Ben Ferguson and Marc Lamont Hill are here with me.

Gentlemen, let me begin with you, Marc, when you listen to the Republicans, they came out immediately, as did Democrats praising this, but saying this is a problem, this broader deal is a problem, as we just heard from Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Do you think, Marc, that the Republicans can successfully, those candidates, turn this into a win for them and a loss somehow for President Obama and Secretary Kerry?

MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: There's no way that they can turn this into a loss for President Obama or victory for themselves. Americans were freed today. Sanctions were lifted today, Iran is further away from a nuclear weapon than it was a month ago or six months ago. This is a successful deal, and what you see is the trotting out of talking points about, you know, the funding of terror, about the broader, you know, ethical issues surrounding this. The truth is, Iran is not somebody who we have friendly relationships with, but it's a country with whom we can have a -- relationship, a warmer relationship and a healthier and more functional relationship and we're seeing that today.

HARLOW: And Ben, as we heard Secretary Kerry say in the press conference he just heard in Vienna, he said today marks the first day of a safer world and he said that timeline, the breakout timeline for Iran to achieve a nuclear weapon goes from two to three months to a year. As a Republican presidential candidate, how do you argue with those numbers?

BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, one, a year is not very long, especially when you look at what Iran has gained from this deal. One, Iran is still a state sponsor of terrorism, we heard the President say that and John Kerry say that in the last week. Two, they just now got their hands on billions upon billions of dollars of instant cash, which is going to a state sponsored terrorism. Three, they now are going to be able to sell oil and also makes billions upon billions of dollars. So, to give up eight or ten months of a time table to then be able to get back on track for a nuclear weapon, if I'm Iran, I'm celebrating this deal.

I am now in cash rich, I'm now oil rich, I'm still a state sponsor of terrorism, and on top of all that, I only gave up eight months of the time table to get a nuclear weapon. This is an amazing deal for Iran, and that is completely aside from the Americans that were released today. I'm glad they were released, but they never should have been in the first place but they were held hostage for a deal and they got the deal they wanted and they took four Americans and they used them as leverage and now they are in charge, they are in the driver's seat.

HARLOW: Ben --

FERGUSON: Yes.

HARLOW: If you're standing two to three months away, how do you then continue that argument to say, I would have done, X, as a republican presidential candidate when as John Kerry said two to three months away from a bomb.

FERGUSON: Well, John Kerry also the time table has changed drastically. Because when he was pushing this deal he said that they were much farther away than they were. Then all of a sudden, they escalated it so this deal looked better for Americans. So, I wonder a bit about the intelligence timeline here, because it seems very convenient to me that these numbers change drastically so that they can convince Americans and others that this deal was somehow a good deal. They were far away from a bomb, then obviously they're about to get a nuclear weapon, and oh we got this deal and stopped it, I think the intelligence on this and the time line of this needs to be looked at and I think a lot of this was political in the timing and the fearmongering.

[17:18:34] HARLOW: Marc, there is no question that Democrats are lauding this and that they will, you know, point to this as a success by the administration. However, you just can't forget that you've still got two Americans, at least American being held over there, Bob Levinson and you also have the U.S. businessman Siamak Namazi being held over there. How much does that hurt, the fact that, I mean, you heard Donald Trump say the way he puts it, you know, we got four, they get seven back. I mean, it's not exactly apples to apples, but we do still have two Americans held -- Marc.

HILL: First, it's not an apples to apples deal any more than the Bergdahl deal was an apples to apples deal. It's a false comparison, it's reflective of someone who doesn't perhaps understand the nuances of Iran. Look, I agree by all means that there's much more work to be done. There are many more hostages to be freed, but this is part of the thawing of relations. Again, this is not a perfect deal, but the best deal that we had. There is no way to argue.

By the way, let's say, we weren't two to three months away, let's say we were actually six months away just for argument's sake. If we were six months away from it, from their breakout time, we are certainly farther away now, they just got rid of two-thirds of their centrifuges, they are further away from a bomb than they were before. That is a good thing. With regards to Ben's other point, which is now the cash in hand to fund terror. The funding of terror is not a particularly expensive enterprise in the region. The money that Iran was spending to fund Hezbollah --

FERGUSON: Sure it is. HILL: But no, it's actually not, I mean, if you actually -- if you do

the research you'll see that they weren't cash poor to fund Hezbollah or Hamas or stir up trouble in Yemen. That wasn't the actual problem.

FERGUSON: So, you're saying that the money that they are getting their hands on now is not going to have any impact on the region when Iran was the number one sponsor of roadside bombs and IEDs that killed American soldiers when we're in Iraq?

HILL: Yes. I'm happy to answer that question for you, Ben. Iran, obviously, is going to continue to sponsor these organizations that are caught terror organizations, I'm not doubting that. But the more interesting issue here is that this $50 to $100 billion that they get will be going to much more pressing and urgent domestic needs. They have $150 billion in infrastructure that they need done. They have about $150 billion in government pensions and salaries that they need to pay. They have about $100 million to get into gas and oil to modernize. So, what I'm saying is that Iran needs that money far more for urgent domestic needs and it does to sponsor terror.

HARLOW: All right. I want to jump in and point out two things, two things Ben. One, that $150 billion number that's been floated a lot has been contested by the White House, it's unclear what the number is in frozen Iranian assets. I also say though Marc, to you, we have no idea what the Iranians are going to use the money on, Ben.

FERGUSON: Right. And to imply that somehow Iran is going to look out for their own people I think is a farce. Iran is going to look out for the Ayatollah and what they want to do. And here's my main point about this, you even admitted it, you're saying -- hold on, hold on, you're saying that Iran is still going to sponsor terrorists but somehow money doesn't matter.

HILL: That's not what I'm saying.

FERGUSON: Let's just say -- let's just say they go their hands on -- billion today. Let me finish this real quick. Let me finish this real quick. Let's just say that Iran gets their hands on 50 billion today. The fact that the sanctions are lifted is now going to bring in hundreds of billions of dollars that they did not have before, and also it's going to bring in the amount of oil money that's coming in.

HARLOW: OK. Oil is at $29 a barrel, so they will not benefit as much as they would have say even a year ago on oil, but, yes, they can sell their oil now.

HILL: Right. But they're still going to be their number one impact on their economy.

HARLOW: Marc, quickly.

HILL: Right. So, Ben, just to correct what Ben said, I am not suggesting that Iran will look out for its own people as opposed to its foreign interests. What I'm suggesting is, is that updating and modernizing its gas and oil resources so that it can compete in the global marketplace is in Iran's interests. I'm saying that funding terror organizations does not cost $50 billion. The money that they are spending -- this is not my own opinion, this is according to every national nuclear nonproliferation organization, this is according to scientists, this is according to studies, they're saying, yes, the money matters.

HARLOW: All right. I'm going to jump in here, because I want to get your take. Ben, I want to get both of your take on something else that is just broken in the past three hours, it is very critical and major on the campaign trail today. You had a number of tweets, I have a list of all of them here from Donald Trump this morning about Ted Cruz, one of them reads he was born in Canada with a Canadian citizen until 15 months ago, lawsuits have just been filed with more to follow, I told you so.

Here's what happened since that twitter rant, if you will, a lot of tweets in a row, a very prominent conservative writer and talk show host named Mark Levin went to Facebook, lambasted Trump for his attacks on Cruz and here's what he said. That Trump should, quote, "Either cut the crap or he will lose lots of conservatives as supporters." A lot more, but that's the key there. How significant, Ben, is that coming from Levin, who is a Tea Party favorite, who has not made an endorsement, but has generally pointed to liking Cruz?

[17:23:26] FERGUSON: Look, I think there's a lot of people that like Mark and I know Mark well and I think that what he's saying here has got a lot of truth behind it. I think Donald Trump coming after Ted Cruz in this vicious attack over the last 12 hours tells you that this is about political and beating him down. Remember when he was on stage he said, look, I think he's eligible, but the Democrats are going to use this. I'm not going to file a lawsuit, I'm not the one saying this, the Democrats are.

When you start tweeting like that, it's very clear that you are saying this, you're using this for a political, you know -- I would say trash war on Ted Cruz to try to win this election and it has been effective in Iowa and New Hampshire. We've seen Ted's numbers come down. The question is, do you overstep at some point and have a backlash and I think that's what you saw Mark warning there and many other conservatives, I think, are also concerned now that this has gone to a point where it is now really the vicious hateful attack than it is about the issues and a grand debate.

HARLOW: I want you both to listen to this. We have some sound just into us from Donald Trump saying that, well, I'll let you listen, he may have had something to do with this deal that just came down. Let's roll it.

Unfortunately, we don't have it. I'm going to wait and not have you answer because I don't want to pick up the words wrong.

HILL: I can guess what Donald Trump would say.

HARLOW: We have it, we have it, let's play it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So I've been hitting them hard and I think I might have had something to do with it, you want to know the truth, who is using? It's a part of my staple thing, I mean, I go crazy when I hear about this. We give them $150 billion, we give them essentially 22 people, 21, 22 people, but these are people that really did have problems. And we're getting back four people that didn't do anything wrong. That's the way we negotiate. That's the way we negotiate. It's so sad. It's so sad. And this has been going on forever.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Marc, your reaction to what we just heard from Donald Trump.

HILL: I mean, it's classic Donald Trump. Everything good that happens in the world is because of him. Everything that Obama does is bad, complete disaster and if he did it, it would have been better, it would have been a great job, it would have been amazing. Again, it lacks texture and it lacks nuance. Again, it's too simple for Donald Trump to say that we just gave a bunch of money to terrorists, too simple to say that we just got a bad deal. Unfortunately, this will resonate with many voters who, again, are looking for excuses to not like this Iran deal. But I think it only resonates with voters who already are inclined to vote Trump.

I don't think this expands his base. Just like, and this is the one thing Ben Ferguson is right about today, as opposed to Iran, and that is, it's also -- the Ted Cruz thing is also another way that he's alienating his base, he's shrinking his base, by doing something that is just so disturbing and unsettling to all people at this point, which is birtherism. So, I think Donald Trump at this point should move away from the Iran talk, should move away from the birtherism talk, and focus on the things that actually made him appeal to voters in the first place.

HARLOW: Go ahead, Marc. Go ahead, Ben.

FERGUSON: Well, I think on his Iran talking points, it only is going to make more people like him because his point is pretty clear, Iran is a state sponsor of terrorist, we just gave a state sponsored terrorist billions of dollars, we got a bad deal because we still have Americans that we left behind in Iran and we had all the leverage in the world with this Iran nuclear deal. You know, how in the heck did we not get these other Americans back is beyond me. It shows how bad of a negotiator John Kerry and the President and it plays into what Donald Trump has said from the beginning, he has said I'm a great negotiator and I would never leave any American behind and that is going to certainly resonate with a lot of American voters.

HARLOW: Ben, thank you. Marc, thank you. I appreciate it. Stand by. Much more on our breaking news on this historic day, a historic deal, the sanctions lifted between Iran and the United States. Next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:29:58] BLITZER: We're back with breaking news. Two major developments overseas today, both of them clearly involving Iran.

Number one, the release of five Americans from prison in Iran. It was a swap negotiated in secret over the course of more than a year. A fifth American was also released without being part of that deal.

The other major development, President Obama just signed an executive order lifting sanctions against Iran after certifying the country had met its obligations regarding its nuclear activities.

I want to read to you reaction we're getting just tweeted out, this from the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He says, quote, "Iran has not abandoned aspirations to acquire nuclear weapons and continues to destabilize of the Middle East and spread terrorism throughout the world. Israel will continue to monitor Iran's negative activities and will take all necessary measures to maintain its security and defend itself."

As for the released Americans, CNN spoke to one of them, "Washington Post" reporter, Jason Rezaian, just a few weeks before he was arrested, captured by the Iranians back in 2014. Anthony Bourdain, host of CNN's "Parts Unknown," sat down with Rezaian and his wife in Tehran. Of course, now we know the couple would soon be forced to part. Jason Rezaian convicted of espionage charges inside Iran, charges denied by the "Washington Post," U.S. government, and everyone else.

This clip gives you a close look at the Rezaian's lifestyle in Tehran just before the arrest, the capture that would change everything for them.

We're going to get to that clip in a moment.

But I want to bring in our senior media correspondent, Brian Stelter, host of "Reliable Sources."

Brian, you've been covering the Rezaian story for a long time. How's the "Washington Post," first of all, responding to Rezaian's release?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: This is news they've been waiting 544 days to hear, Wolf. News very personal to the "Washington Post," one of the best known news organizations in the world. It like CNN and other outlets has journalists in dangerous or risky positions in different parts of the world, but never expected their Tehran correspondent, Jason Rezaian, to be taken into custody the way he was in July of 2014.

No word from "The Post" at the moment. They are still being cautious as they wait for official confirmation Jason Rezaian and the other prisoners have left Iran, the plane's actually taken off, left the air space, on the way to its next destination, which may be somewhere in Europe, but because they don't know for sure yet, they are not commenting at the moment.

I can tell you, though, knowing you and I have both spoken to Jason's brother, Ali, their family has been through an ordeal I think few of us can imagine. I think it's applicable to the other prisoners, as well, to know that your loved one is behind bars, that they are very inaccessible, you can infrequently see them. Jason, for example, there were times where he was kept in solitary confinement. There were times when he needed medication, where he needed to see a doctor, and it was difficult to do so. So it's been a harrowing ordeal. And it was always unclear exactly how long it would go on for.

There was always a sense that Rezaian and these other prisoners were perhaps pawns in a geopolitical face-off that you've been covering here all day, these long ongoing talks. There was always a sense these prisoners were being held by Iran partly because of these talks held as a sort of leverage. So to see this happening, this release happening on the same day as Secretary of State Kerry's announcement does make a lot of sense, it does link up. As for the "Washington Post," it's a personal story they'll be covering. I'm sure they are working on the front page for Sunday's paper right now as we speak.

BLITZER: I'm sure they are.

I've got the clip now. This is the interview our Anthony Bourdain did for his program "Parts Unknown." A very moving excerpt. I want to watch Anthony Bourdain's interview with Rezaian and his wife only weeks before he was arrested.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON REZAIAN, WASHINGTON POST CORRESPONDENT RELEASED FROM IRANIAN PRISON: As print journalists, our job is difficult but it's also kind of easy, because there's so much to write about. You know, the difficult part is convincing people on the other side of the world that what we're telling you we're seeing in front of our eyes is actually there. When you walk down the street and you see a different side of things, people are proud, the culture is vibrant, people have a lot to say.

ANTHONY BOURDAIN, CNN HOST, PARTS UNKNOWN (voice-over): Jason Rezaian is the "Washington Post" correspondent for Iran. He and his wife and a fellow journalist works for the UAE-based newspaper "The National." Jason is Iranian-American. Ugani is a full Iranian citizen. This is their city, Tehran.

(on camera): The official attitude towards fun in general seems to be ever shifting. Is fun even a good idea?

REZAIAN: A lot of push and pull, a lot of give and take. When I first started coming here, you wouldn't hear pop music in a restaurant or --

(CROSSTALK)

BOURDAIN: It's everywhere now.

(CROSSTALK)

YEGANEH SALEHI, WIFE OF JASON REZAIAN: We have police, they arrest girls or women for having bad hijab or not being covered enough, but it's not like we live with the police in our head, you know? [17:35:21] BOURDAIN: One of the first things that people will say

when you say I'm going to Iran, but don't they make women do this, this, and this. Actually, not so much. Not as much as -- compare and contrast, women aren't allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia.

SALEHI: That's right. Or vote.

BOURDAIN: Or vote. You can drive, you can vote.

SALEHI: Yeah, of course.

BOURDAIN: Can you run a business?

SALEHI: Of course. My sister is an accountant. She has her own company. Girls are allowed to do almost everything, except we want to go and watch football.

BOURDAIN: Can't go watch football?

SALEHI: We cannot.

BOURDAIN (voice-over): Women's issues are often at the spear point of change or possible change here. On one hand, prevailing conservative attitudes demand certain things. On the other hand, Iranian women are famously assertive, opinionated. It's a striking difference from almost everywhere else in the region.

(on camera): So why are we so friendly with the Saudis again?

REZAIAN: Good question, really good question.

SALEHI: I'm happy that you asked that question.

(LAUGHTER)

BOURDAIN: Do you like it? Are you happy here?

REZAIAN: Look, I'm at a point now after five years where I miss certain things about home. I miss my buddies. I miss burritos. I miss having certain beverages with my buddies and burritos at certain types of establishments.

(LAUGHTER)

But I love it. I love it, and I hate it, you know? But it's home. It's become home.

BOURDAIN: Are you optimistic about the future?

SALEHI: Yeah, especially if this nuclear deal finally happens, yeah. Very much, actually.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Very moving, Brian, very moving, indeed. Pretty soon he's going to have an opportunity to have certain kind of beverages at certain kinds of locations. We know what he's obviously talking about.

The "Washington Post" really worked hard behind the scenes, but not only the "Washington Post," a lot of major journalist organizations, reporters committee for freedom, the press, a lot of journalist organizations worked really behind the scenes to try to get Jason Rezaian out of there.

STELTER: Yes, we saw remarkable show of unity by news outlets about this case. There was only so much of "The Post" could do, though. I remember during the so-called trial of Jason back last summer "The Post" wanted to send an editor to have someone in the courtroom and "The Post" was not allowed to do so, not allowed to send a reporter or editor. Iran remains a very difficult country for reporters to operate in. That's why that clip there from Anthony Bourdain is so remarkable. You get to see what ordinary life was like for them back in 2014, before they were detained.

We see his wife in the video clip. And I want to mention they were married in 2013. That means they spent more time apart than together. Rezaian has been behind bars for 18 months of their marriage. So it's going to be very special when they are able to leave the country together in the short time here, either the hours ahead later today.

But given the fact it's difficult to report from Iran, given it's very difficult on the ground for journalists there, we will see in the coming months and years if that's something that improves as the country may open up here, as economic conditions may improve, perhaps it will become easier for journalists to operate in the country.

BLITZER: We're told that the American prisoners, five of them, were taken to the Swiss embassy in Tehran, and they'll be on a Swiss plane flying to Switzerland before they go to Germany. Hopefully, that plane will be in the air shortly. Of course, that will be a huge, huge sigh of relief to their families.

STELTER: I can't help but think about what it must have been like maybe this morning, maybe in the prison where Jason was being held to have someone come to the gates of the prison, come to his cell and say, you're going home.

BLITZER: Yeah, what an exciting moment, indeed. Let's make sure they get out of there and get out of there right away.

Brian Stelter, thanks so much.

Brian is going to have a lot more tomorrow morning on his program "Reliable Sources," which airs at 11:00 a.m. eastern.

We also want to let our viewers know later tonight we'll be re-airing that Anthony Bourdain episode featuring one of Jason Rezaian's last interviews only weeks before he was arrested. You can catch that later tonight 8:00 p.m. eastern right here on CNN, Anthony Bourdain "Parts Unknown."

Let's go back to Poppy.

Poppy, a very historic day today, a day that a lot of people will remember for a long time.

[17:39:56] POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: What a day. What a day for those families waiting for their loved ones, those five Americans coming home.

Wolf, thank you so much.

Back to Wolf in just moment.

But I do want to talk about the economics of this deal and what this really means for Iran's economy, for the global oil markets, a reality check with our Richard Quest live from the World Economic Forum in Davos next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Welcome back for our continuing coverage of what is no question a historic day when it comes to relations between the United States and Iran and diplomacy going forward.

When you talk about lifting economic sanctions against Iran, which just officially happened one hour ago, as announced in Vienna, this means Tehran, the main government in Iran, will have access to billions and billions of dollars in assets frozen since 2011. What this also means is an infusion of new trade and investment, something that Iran's struggling economy certainly desperately needs.

CNN's Richard Quest is on the phone. He is live from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where this will be a huge topic of discussion this week.

But not all the sanctions against Iran have been lifted. I want to be very clear. Which ones have been lifted, which have not?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN HOST, QUEST MEANS BUSINESS (voice-over): Well, absolutely the point to bear in mind (INAUDIBLE) published a 37-page document outlining exactly what this means. So, for instance, secondary U.S. sanctions have been lifted, so non-U.S. persons, foreign companies, other people, can now lend money. They can do petroleum business. They can be involved in the Iranian economy. However, the primary sanctions, many are backed to the U.S. embassy hostage crisis in the '70s, those sanctions have not yet been lifted, so there is a big difference between, if you like, the rest of the world, European Union and other countries, and how they will be able to move into Iran and how the U.S. companies will be able to move in.

[17:45:13] HARLOW: This is also, obviously, political fodder on the campaign trail, Richard, you already have a number of Republican presidential candidates slamming the deal saying this gives their number they throw out there as $150 billion in assets to be unfrozen, flowing back into Iran. Now, let's talk about those who say that this will be used as an infusion of cash to support terrorist groups, et cetera. Do we have any sense of what Iran's government might use the money for, what they need to use it on?

QUEST: Well, I think the legitimate purposes where the money will use with foreign companies investing into Iran will be the rebuilding of an infrastructure and an economy that's had a decades' work sanctioned. If you look at the breadth of the United Nations sanctions and the European Union sanctions, never mind the U.S. ones, they go to the very core. Look at the Iranian oil industry. It is using equipment that is decades old that it can't replace, it is unable to get spare parts for. Add in, for example, the automobile industry, the agricultural industry. You're talking about an economy that has been starved of inward foreign investment for more than a decade. In that scenario, yes, the political opponents say that some of the money may be siphoned off for other means, but the majority is badly needed by the Iranian economy -- Poppy?

HARLOW: And finally to oil prices. Richard, oil is at $29 a barrel now, staggeringly inexpensive. You get more Iranian oil on the market, what does that do?

QUEST: It depends, Poppy, if the price of oil is reflecting the expectation of more Iranian oil to come. If that's already built in, you don't see much happening. However, and I think it's not fully priced in. I think Iran follows through with its commitment, which they said to our John Defterios, to pump up, it wants millions of barrels of oil a day, the risk will be, of course, that the price goes down even lower. Demand is simply not great. So, Poppy, the Iranians are well aware of this. They know, by all means, you're doing so at great cost.

HARLOW: Absolutely.

Richard Quest live for us at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Richard, thank you very much.

Quick break. We're back with more in a moment.

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[17:50:54] HARLOW: South Carolina, is this where the Bernie Sanders dream crashes into a demographic reality? The next Democratic debate will be there in Charleston tomorrow night. But take a look at this national "CBS News" poll. Hillary Clinton at 48 percent, Bernie Sanders creeping up at 41 percent. Tighter than 52-32 percent spread between Clinton and Sanders just in December.

When it comes to the critical African-American vote in the south, here's what a new FOX News poll shows. Actually the poll is from December. Clinton with 82 percent of the black vote in that state, Sanders drawing just 11. Aides have floated a goal of winning a third of the black vote there. That polling is a month old, but it's still telling. Sanders knows the importance of South Carolina. He's spent time in the state this year. His team kicked off a bus tour there of historically black colleges.

A question remains, can a Democratic Socialist from the second whitest state in the country win voters that actually look like the rest of the Democratic Party? Let's talk it over with Jonathan Tasini, the author of "The Essential

Bernie Sanders and His Vision for America," also a surrogate for the campaign.

Nice to have you here in person.

JONATHAN TASINI, AUTHOR & BERNIE SANDERS CAMPAIGN SURROGATE: Great to be here.

Last time, we were on Skype.

HARLOW: We were divided by thousands of miles last time.

You can't argue with the numbers. How are you going to try to win South Carolina?

TASINI: Look at may, when Bernie was an afterthought, people laughed, he was 2 percent, 3 percent nationally. We're going to win Iowa --

(CROSSTALK)

HARLOW: I asked you about South Carolina.

TASINI: I'm going to come to that. We're going to win Iowa and win New Hampshire. After that I don't think the polls you're seeing now, nationally and state by state, are going to matter. They're going to blow up because --

(CROSSTALK)

HARLOW: Wait.

TASINI: Let me --

HARLOW: The makeup of Iowa and New Hampshire is so different than South Carolina.

TASINI: I understand. But people, for the first time, you know, people are not like you and me, they love politics, we love politics, we read about it, we talk about it. But most people don't want to focus on it until they actually have to, when Bernie wins Iowa and up in New Hampshire millions will see who this man is --

(CROSSTALK)

HARLOW: Buts that your strategy?

TASINI: It's one strategy. And I think it's going to happen. Remember, in between the two is also Nevada. Nevada, seen to be somewhat of the status quo candidates' strength is now in play. I think all of the prognosticators say we've done so much groundwork -- I'm going to Nevada next week, in the rural counties around Reno, that's in play -- there is a thing about political momentum and how quickly things change. You would not have bet me in May or June or July that Bernie Sanders would -- you would not bet there's a chance he would Iowa and New Hampshire. HARLOW: I'm not a betting woman.

TASINI: We would not do a friendly wager. I believe it's going to happen. If you look at the ground and how things have shifted and momentum, let's look why that's happened. Bernie is offering a political revolution. People are starting to focus on that, health care, issues of the war, Iran, education. All of those things he's proposed are about a political revolution versus status quo. I think people are fed up with THE status quo.

HARLOW: Quickly, you're going to be with me on the other side. When are you going to tell us how to pay the health care plan?

TASINI: Well, I'm going to tell you that right after the break.

HARLOW: All right. Stay with us for that. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:57:08] HARLOW: Jonathan Tasini is back with me. He is author of "The Essential Bernie Sanders and His Vision for America," and he's also a surrogate for Sanders' campaign.

He told us before the break he would tell us how Bernie Sanders will pay for universal Medicare. He basically wants Medicare for all

Hillary Clinton says that's taking raising taxes on the middle class up 9 percent.

TASINI: It's absolutely shameful what the Clinton is saying. First it's fraudulent and it's Republican --

(CROSSTALK)

HARLOW: Why is that fraudulent?

TASINI: It Republican talking points.

I'm going to explain how this will be done.

HARLOW: Will it mean an increase in middle class taxes?

TASINI: I'm going to explain now it's going to be done. We already spend $3 trillion a year on health care. That's in the form of premiums, deductibles. People pay thousands of dollars. Now, what Bernie Sanders is going to do is what every advanced industrialized country does, for example, Australia. Everybody in Australia, every time they get a paycheck, there's a thing that's 2 percent, called Medicare, which is deducted from the paycheck and an employer contribution. That goes in to pay for free health care. So let's say today, we'll use the $6, let's say, that on the average family making $50,000 a year. This is the $6. You're the insurance company. I give you this $6. You take all of that $6, you pocket that. Under Bernie's plan, what's going to happen is I'm going to give the government essentially a single payer system, get rid of the insurance companies. I'm going to give you a dollar. I'm going to keep $5. And that's what's --

(CROSSTALK)

HARLOW: Are you telling me it's a sixth the cost?

TASINI: Absolutely.

HARLOW: Of what we pay private insurers?

(CROSSTALK)

TASINI: Every person making $50,000 -- I'm taking the average American -- will pay -- will have their health care costs decline dramatically. It will be 2.3 percent of their income.

HARLOW: Now your team has to convince voters of that because Hillary Clinton says it means raising taxes on middle class. I have 30 seconds.

(CROSSTALK)

TASINI: They lied.

(CROSSTALK)

TASINI: Poppy, this is why it's important to say this is a Republican talking point. Because, first of all, they're attacking a system that will save people thousands of dollars, and thousands of lives, and it's Republicans that have said we should never pay any taxes --

(CROSSTALK)

HARLOW: Jonathan --

(CROSSTALK)

TASINI: -- even those taxes build our social system.

(CROSSTALK)

HARLOW: We're got to get a break in. Much ore breaking news out of Iran.

I appreciate you coming on. We'll have you back very soon.

A quick break. We're back with our breaking news on Iran in just a moment.

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