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New Day Sunday

World Powers Clinch Iran Nuclear Deal; Deadly Winter Storm Pushes East

Aired November 24, 2013 - 08:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The world is united in support of our determination to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: A historic deal. While you were sleeping, six major powers, including the U.S., cemented an agreement to freeze key parts of Iran's nuclear enrichment program. The terms, the reaction, and the controversy, ahead.

CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: And what is this deal mean for Israel? Already, the U.S. ally is voicing its severe displeasure, calling it a historic mistake.

BLACKWELL: Plus, the reaction from Congress. Republicans are firing back at the White House, calling the treaty a blow to our allies and one high ranking senator even says it's the president's effort to distract from Obamacare.

Your NEW DAY starts right now.

(MUSIC)

PAUL: All right. Grab your coffee or something warm because it is cold out there. Good morning, everyone.

I'm Christi Paul. Eight o'clock is the time.

BLACKWELL: It's a little cold in here, too.

PAUL: I know it is.

BLACKWELL: I'm Victor Blackwell. This is NEW DAY SUNDAY.

Breaking overnight, the U.S. and fellow world powers green-light a historic deal with Iran to keep it from developing a nuclear weapon.

PAUL: Yes. After marathon negotiations, Iran has agreed to temporarily freeze key parts of its nuclear program. Now, we know Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran's foreign minister sealed this deal with a hand shake. The world's top diplomats appeared elated. Now, in return for dialing back its nuclear activities, Iran is going to see billions of dollars of sanctions eased.

BLACKWELL: We are covering this story from every angle.

CNN's Jim Sciutto is in Geneva, Switzerland. Reza Sayah is in Tehran, in Iran. And Candy Crowley is in Washington.

We're going to go live to them in a moment. But, first, Iran and the world powers now have six months to hash out a more comprehensive agreement.

PAUL: Yes, this is phase one, so to speak. Both sides got some of what they wanted, at least for the time being. But there is still difficult details that need to be ironed out here. John Kerry says the Geneva deal is a starting point and he issued a challenge to Tehran.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, SECRETARY OF STATE: Folks, it is not hard to prove peaceful intent if that's what you want to do. We are anxious to try to make certain that this deal ultimately will do exactly that. Prove it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Secretary of State John Kerry speaking there. Now, he insist that's Iran will not be allowed to produce a nuclear weapon.

PAUL: CNN chief national correspondent Jim Sciutto joins us live from Geneva.

OK. The first question, foremost, out of this, Jim, is who wins from this deal?

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think there is enough in this deal that both sides can claim victory of new unprecedented restrictions on Iran's nuclear program and some sanctions, relief and exchange for that given to Iran.

But I think more broadly, you have the potential to redefine Iran's relations with the West. You look at the details of this deal, they're components in here that we would not have thought possible just a few weeks ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SCIUTTO (voice-over): In Geneva, a historic deal is struck.

OBAMA: For the first time in nearly a decade, we have halted the progress of the Iranian nuclear program, and key parts of the program will be rolled back.

SCIUTTO: Designed to block Iran from ever building a nuclear weapon. OBAMA: These are substantial limitations which will help prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon. Simply put, they cut off Iran's most likely paths to a bomb.

SCIUTTO: After weeks of intense talks between Iran and six world powers in Geneva, crippling economic sanctions on Iran will be eased. In all, about $7 billion in relief.

In exchange, Iran agreed to halt enrichment of uranium above 5 percent, well below weapon's grade, and to dilute or convert its current stockpile of enriched uranium so it cannot be used for a weapon. Iran also agreed to stop building or operating its Arak heavy water reactor, a second potential path to a bomb. And Iran promised to be more open, allowing intrusive daily monitoring of its nuclear program.

In answer to a question from CNN, Iran's foreign minister, Javad Zarif, said the deal gave Iran what is long sought, formal recognition of its freedom to a peaceful nuclear program.

(on camera): Some Iranian officials reclaiming that right has been recognized. You say the program has been recognized. The White House says there is no formal recognition of a right to enrich. How did you square that circle?

MOHAMMAD JAVAD ZARIF, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER: The plan of action, as we call it, in two distinct bases has a very clear reference to the fact that Iranian enrichment program will continue and will be a part of any agreement now and in the future.

SCIUTTO (voice-over): Israeli's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu however was sharply critical of the deal, calling it a historic mistake.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: Iran is taking only cosmetic steps, which it could reverse easily within a few weeks, and in return, sanctions that took years to put in place are going to be eased.

SCIUTTO: Secretary Kerry offered this assurance to America's closest ally in the region.

KERRY: The next step requires proof certain, a fail safe set of steps which eliminate the current prospect of a breakout in the creation of a nuclear weapon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SCIUTTO: I'll tell you right up until this deal was announced past 3:00 in the morning Geneva Time, there were doubts they would make agreement until we got the announcement, the confirmation and tweet from Catherine Ashton, the E.U. foreign minister, saying simply we have an agreement.

Victor and Christi, really an incredible moment to watch. BLACKWELL: Yes, an incredible moment to watch for those who supported it. We know that the prime minister has been calling since the start of these talks. Even before the talks actually began that the world should not trust Iran -- should not trust this regime. He did not mince words this morning.

SCIUTTO: He did not, no question. And that's a familiar message. He's been saying the same thing since the talks started.

But it's interesting. It's not a monolithic voice in Israel. There is criticism from the own security establishment, former security ministers there saying that they're open at least to talk to see where this progresses. And now, I've I noticed that some of his political opponents in Israel have been asking publicly this morning whether he went too far or is going too far in his criticism.

So, you know, it's not a monolithic opinion there -- much like it's not monolithic in the U.S. We have lawmakers in the Hill who support these talks and others who are very much against them.

BLACKWELL: Certainly do. And we'll talk more about the backlash towards the White House overnight into this morning later on in the show.

Jim Sciutto in Geneva for us -- thank you.

Also coming up at the top of the hour, Secretary of State John Kerry will join Candy Crowley, that's at 9:00 this morning. So, keep it here for "STATE OF THE UNION."

PAUL: Since we're talking about Israel, you know, people are reacting there as well. Not just the prime minister, but they're reacting to this news of this Iranian nuclear deal with world powers.

BLACKWELL: Yes. Many in Jerusalem are waking up to the news of the deal that had been reached. It scoured local papers for details on the plan and what it would mean for Israel.

PAUL: There's a lot of distrust towards Iran. Some say this agreement, though, is the best option.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm happy with the agreement. Because if there are two possibilities, a war with Iran or an agreement that will be good for the Americans and for Israelis. I prefer the agreement.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It might be one of those fake it until you make it. So, maybe the Iranians were not completely keen and honest regarding the whole process and maybe they have some intentions that are completely defeating the purpose. But at this point, I think agreement is better than not agreeing and being in some kind of a state of almost war.

(END VIDEO CLIP) PAUL: OK. At 8:30, I want to let you know, you're going to hear more from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as to why he says this deal is such a historic mistake.

BLACKWELL: Yes. Just a moment ago, Jim talked about the varied opinions here in the U.S.

Back here at home, very strong reaction from Washington. Republican reaction to the nuclear deal with Iran have been fast and furious.

PAUL: That's a good way to put it.

In a statement, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, in fact, says, quote, "By allowing the Iranian regime to retain a sizable nuclear infrastructure, this agreement makes a nuclear Iran more likely."

Similar sentiment from South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham who tweets, "Unless the agreement requires dismantling of the Iranian centrifuges, we really haven't gained anything."

BLACKWELL: There is this response from Texas Senator John Cornyn. This is his tweet. "Amazing what the White House will do to distract attention from O-care." O-care, is of course, short for Obamacare.

Secretary Kerry joins Candy Crowley at the top of the hour to talk about the new nuclear deal with Iran. That's 50 minutes from now on "STATE OF THE UNION" at 9:00 Eastern.

PAUL: Yes. So, let's talk with Candy, shall we, about the Washington side of this deal. Because we just heard that chorus, Candy, of complaints from Republicans.

Good morning to you first of all.

And, secondly, how does President Obama answer those concerns?

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, if he can make this stick, if it proves that the -- proves out that the Iranians are serious about this, that's the best push back.

But the president I think said it last night as did John Kerry which is so what's the alternative? Interesting that's what you also heard a little bit on the streets of Israel, which is, there is this almost war and then there is this trying to make some sort of effort to dial everybody back.

So, John Kerry's argument and the president argued this isn't the final deal. This isn't what we want. We do want to get rid of that infrastructure that allows Iran to put together nuclear weaponry. But that's the next step.

So, they're selling it as a first step saying hold your horses because the alternative is not pretty. And we're working on something that will save everyone in the world from having to go to war in a very dicey place of the Earth.

BLACKWELL: Well, Candy, it's fair to say, and I think even the White House would agree, that the president has pretty rocky, maybe some who say rotten November. We've got the CNN/ORC polls, 41 percent of people approving of how he is handling his job. We've got the numbers up for you on the screen now.

What does this agreement do, if anything, for him here domestically with improving those numbers?

CROWLEY: Well, it certainly isn't going to hurt. Sometime it's difficult. We also in some new numbers this week found that most people thought that a deal with Iran was a good idea. You're talking about a country obviously that is very war-weary, that isn't interested in having a conflict with another Middle Eastern nation. And so, support for a deal was quite high.

So, that ought to boost the president's poll numbers. But in general, foreign policy accomplishments unless they're gigantic, tend to kind of take a backseat when there's trouble at home.

And as we all know right now, there is trouble at home both in terms of jobs and in terms of the Affordable Care Act. I suspect that he'll get some kind of boost. But how long it lasts, the shelf life of that boost is in question.

BLACKWELL: All right. Candy Crowley, thank you.

CROWLEY: Thanks, guys.

BLACKWELL: And, again, Secretary Kerry will join Candy at the top of the hour. Keep it here for "STATE OF THE UNION", coming up in about 15 minutes.

PAUL: And still to come on NEW DAY, we're going to take you live to the streets of Tehran. What does that historic hand shake on this nuclear deal mean to every day Iranians?

BLACKWELL: Plus, expect snow and sleet and rain this Thanksgiving. Karen says an icy mix is coming. That doesn't sound like fun.

Severe weather sweeping across the country could cramp your travel plans.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PAUL: We're going to talk a little bit more about this new deal with Iran, that puts temperature limits on its nuclear program while a long term solution is ironed out. Again, phase one.

BLACKWELL: Yes, phase one. Question is: what will phase two be if it comes?

Secretary of State John Kerry says this agreement does not acknowledge Iran has a legal right to enrich uranium. Iran's new president says, hold on a minute. In a statement today, Hassan Rouhani says the deal explicitly recognizes Iran's right to nuclear enrichment.

PAUL: Well, CNN's Reza Sayah is live from Tehran this morning.

And I know you've been talking to Iranians there on the street of the capital. You got them there next to you. What is their take on this, Reza?

REZA SAYAH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, we've been talking to Iranians from the moment this agreement was signed. We haven't talked to a single person who's not happy, who's not happy that this interim deal has been hammered out. And they believe they're on their way, that this is a golden opportunity to improve relations with the West, resolve this nuclear program and hopefully lift some of these sanctions that they've lived through for very long time.

We're going to have you hear from them directly. This is Ali, a factory manager.

The agreement came this morning very early after marathon negotiations. How do you feel as an Iranian who's observed this? What's your take?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I say every people last time, last night not sleeping and --

SAYAH: Nobody slept?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Waiting for the results. So in the morning early when we hear about this, I said, OK. Everybody's happy.

But it depends of the people. Some people just care about the nuclear programs or any success with power which we are telling or some of them for their life.

SAYAH: OK. Thank you, Ali.

Sakra (ph), she is a student, public health. What was your reaction when you woke up this morning and you said an agreement and you heard an agreement was signed? How did you feel?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got so happy, too. I want to say one sentence. We should obey whatever our leader says.

SAYAH: So, this is a glimpse of the respect Iranians have for the supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

Sakra, how important was it for you, for Iran's leadership to keep their right to enrich uranium? How important was that for you?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's very important. No doubt in that.

SAYAH: And why? Why was it important? They could have easily said we won't enrich uranium general more and lift the sanctions. Why was it important for you, for the leadership to say, no, we're not going to stop uranium enrichment?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Leaders say the right thing and they cannot do anything. And we get our rights.

SAYAH: Yes.

Ali, there are still some people outside of Iran, the Israeli government, many in the U.S. Congress that says this is a bad deal. That Iran is still a dangerous country led by a radical leadership.

What is your reaction to these comments?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just they have to stay for the Iranian people. Iranian people is -- they are not dangerous. It's not a dangerous country. But anything is good for Iranian and Iranian people should be done by anyway.

I don't care about the government, our government, what they are telling. But anything is good for Iranian people should be done (ph).

SAYAH: OK. This is a refrain that we heard over and over again from Iranians themselves. They're peaceful people. We want to get along with the West, with Washington.

And maybe the biggest winners today are these Iranian people hopeful that this interim deal would lead to a lifting of the sanctions again that they suffered through for a very long time, guys.

BLACKWELL: Reza Sayah on the streets of Tehran, getting us answers beyond the president, beyond the foreign minister. Reza, thank you.

Heading to the airport a lot of people are doing it and planning a drive for Thanksgiving. Beware. A deadly winter storm may disrupt your plans.

Up next, we'll tell you where it's headed next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Twenty-two minutes after the hour.

And across the country, people are gearing up for more snow and more sleet and freezing rain as a deadly winter storm moves east.

PAUL: I'm going to just stay inside and cook and then go to a friend's house, so I don't have to go too far.

BLACKWELL: I'm going to be out in it.

PAUL: Let me know how that goes.

Of course, Thanksgiving is days away. And, look, these are pretty treacherous conditions that we're hearing about. It could affect millions of you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL (voice-over): The deadly winter storm stretches from California and Texas. And the system may create Thanksgiving week travel problems all the way to the Atlantic.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's crazy. It's super crazy. I hope it's going to be gone soon.

PAUL: Rain is expected to stretch from Texas to Georgia and the Carolinas Monday night, including sleet and snow. By Tuesday, the rain will reach the Mid-Atlantic States. Forecasters are waiting to see if the impacts will be severe or annoying.

Already, snow is making its way across Texas and New Mexico and a lot of people are waking up this morning to snow and ice covered roads and bridges.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It feels like the wind is going to pull you over, you know? It feels like it's going to push you into the next lane.

PAUL: In Ohio, clouds of snow and temperatures in the 20s. Check out this Ohio State-Indiana football game. Officials had to scrub the snow off the goal line.

This weather system started on the West Coast. Strong winds in the San Francisco Bay Area downed trees and power lines.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I heard a big crack and the house started banging and things started kind of falling. I thought it was a huge earthquake.

PAUL: And flooding hit Phoenix, Arizona, with two inches of rain. In the days ahead, more than 40 million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. What is waiting out there? More wind, sleet, snow, and rain.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLACKWELL: Oh, goody. I'll take some of that.

I'm going to be one of the 40 million people plus expected to travel for Thanksgiving.

PAUL: Meteorologist Karen Maginnis, tell him what he's in for. Just let him have it.

KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes. Especially in that Northeastern corridor, I think you could see big problems.

Let's go from Wednesday. That's a huge travel day. Show you where we're expecting some of the poor weather conditions. Yes. Up and down the eastern seaboard. This could really be problematic. We're watching an area of low pressure along the Gulf. We'll bring it off the mid-Atlantic coast.

So depending on the position off the coast, maybe some snow in some of the coastal cities in that I-95 corridor, New York City, Boston. But right now looks like it's going to be interior sections of the Northeast.

So watch out. It's going to be blown around by some gusty winds, poor road conditions, then going in towards our Thanksgiving Day. We think much of that is going to be moving out. So that will be pretty good in the forecast. But those roads, some left over messiness.

I want to show you the icy conditions in Midland, Texas. You were commenting on this earlier, Victor. They were scraping it with the ruler. Yep, that's when you know you haven't seen ice too often nor lately. Yes, that's pretty miserable.

Anyway, hope you have a great vacation.

BLACKWELL: Well, I hope we won't have to use scrapers or credit cards to get ice off the windshield. But thank you, Karen.

World leaders, the big story this morning, may have an interim agreement that could prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. But critics are already calling it a mistake, a big mistake, saying Iran cannot be trusted.

We'll break down why some say why.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PAUL: I hope Sunday morning has been good to you so far. Bottom of the hour right now, welcome back. I'm Christi Paul.

BLACKWELL: I'm Victor Blackwell. Good to be with you.

Here are five things you need to know for your NEW DAY.

Up first, the U.S. and other world powers reach a historic deal with Iran. The accord temporarily freezes much of Iran's nuclear program. It limits the ability to enrich uranium. Now, Iran must allow what's called intrusive monitoring and return gets some sanctions relief.

PAUL: At least two deaths being blamed on a deadly winter storm now sweeping across the country. The West has been hammered by floods and snow. Now bitter cold and ice expected in the Northeast which could mean long delays for all of you traveling for Thanksgiving.

BLACKWELL: Number three if you needed proof that it's dangerous out there on the roads three members of Willie Nelson's band were hurt after the singer's tour bus -- the driver lost control and hit the pillar of a bridge near Dallas. Now police blamed heavy rain and wind. Willie Nelson was not on the bus at the time. According to his Web site, the tour is suspended until December. PAUL: Number four, Manny -- Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, excuse me, is back after two consecutive losses. One of boxing's all-time greats won back his WBO International Welterweight title. It was a unanimous decision against Brandon Rios. Pacquiao is the Philippine's most famous sportsman and he dedicated his win to the victims and survivors of the super typhoon Haiyan.

BLACKWELL: Number five police say a home in Studio City, California, that apparently belongs to Miley Cyrus was burglarized. Only a few personal items were reportedly taken. Authorities found no evidence of forced entry and no suspects were seen at the property. The representatives for Cyrus did not immediately return our calls for comment but, you know, yesterday was Miley's 21st birthday.

PAUL: I'm sure she had a good time regardless.

BLACKWELL: Oh she did. She wasn't there so she had a good time somewhere.

PAUL: Yes, yes.

BLACKWELL: Western sanctions against Iran have had a devastating effect on the economy there. Oil exports have dropped dramatically costing Iran about $5 billion since 2011.

PAUL: The sanctions also have pushed down Iran's currency sharply and the jobless rate has soared particularly among the young. According to Iran's government, about a quarter of its citizens, 15 to 24 years old are unemployed right now.

BLACKWELL: While diplomats in Geneva shook hands and even embraced over the nuclear deal there has been a very different reaction in Israel.

PAUL: Is there ever. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the agreement endangers the world. We want to listen more right now of what he had to say just a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER, ISRAEL: What was concluded in Geneva last night is not historic agreement. It's a historic mistake. It's not made the world a safer place. Like the agreement with North Korea in 2005, this agreement has made the world a much more dangerous place.

I know that many shared the concern of Israel, especially in the region, and there's a reason for this. For years the international community has demanded that Iran cease all uranium enrichment. Now for the first time the international community has formally consented that Iran continue its enrichments of uranium. And this is indirect contravention of U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Iran is taking only cosmetic steps which it could reverse easily within a few weeks. And in return, sanctions that took years to put in place are going to be eased. Iran is going to receive billions of dollars worth of sanctions relief. So the pressures on Iran are being lifted -- they're being eased. And with the lifting of this pressure, this first step could very well be the last.

Without continued pressure, what incentive does the Iranian regime have to take serious steps that actually dismantle its nuclear weapons capability? Why would it dismantle the centrifuges and the plutonium reactor?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Well Israel is not the only critics. Some U.S. lawmakers are also saying Iran cannot be trusted to hold up its end of its bargaining. Some are claiming that the agreement actually makes it more likely that Iran will obtain a nuclear weapon.

PAUL: So joining us to talk about it Aaron David Miller from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, he's advised six U.S. secretaries of state on the Arab-Israeli peace process. Also joining us from London -- Jamie Rubin a former U.S. assistant secretary of state. Gentlemen, thank you both so much for being with us.

Aaron, I'd like to start with you. We know what Benjamin Netanyahu has said about this. He said it's made the world a much more dangerous place. And it's a historic mistake is there. Any credence to what he's saying?

AARON DAVID MILLER, VP FOR NEW INITIATIVES, WOODROW WILSON INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SCHOLARS: You know, I don't want to exaggerate the Prime Minister's arguments but I also don't want to trivialize them. The reality is the talking at least in this case and diplomacy is the talking cure. It's certainly better than shooting is the first stage. And I think if nothing is done, we are drifting to a situation in which either Israel or presumably the United States at some point would have to take military action in -- in order to present -- prevent Iran's weaponization.

The real question is, it seems to me and I think it's far too early to break out the champagne bottles yet, what the end state is going to be. Can the current Iranian government really put its nuclear infrastructure program, $100 billion plus investment, a source of national pride beyond use and will the administration be able under congressional pressure to dismantle the core sanctions in the end that Iran -- that has so devastated the Iranian economy and that Iran will demand?

My concern here is that six months from now we're either going to continue to be negotiating this or alternatively we're going to end up with another interim agreement. It's just very difficult, almost fantastical for me to see how this thing actually ends.

BLACKWELL: Jamie, I want to get you in here. The world has long believed, although Iran has denied, it that Iran was building a nuclear weapon -- that that was the purpose of the enrichment not for energy. Why now all of a sudden are we investing in the credibility of Iran? JAMIE RUBIN, FORMER U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE: I don't think we're investing in the credibility of Iran. What really happened here is that a new regime came into power in Iran voted in, in a pretty free democratic election. And they for the first time admitted that the sanctions were hurting. And they got a mandate from their leadership to try to limit the sanctions. To get at least some of them removed to change the debate from one of tighter and tighter blockade to one of greater openness. And this kind of deal has been on the table for Iran for many years. If they would limit the most dangerous parts of their program, they could get some modest sanctions relief.

But this isn't going to solve the problem. The problem is that Iran has the inherent capability to make a nuclear weapon. To do that you need to have enough ability to enrich uranium. They have that ability, so do many countries in the world. The difference with Iran is that they have in the past not always complied with international monitors. That's why those monitors are there now.

And we'll have to see in the coming months and years whether this is the beginning of a negotiated outcome that will slowly increase confidence that they're not going to do that final step and build that nuclear weapon. And we don't really know the answer to that we won't know for many, many more months.

PAUL: OK but you know, I know this is an early picture of him. But you're right. Historically Iran is not known for its honesty, let's say. What factor did Iran's new president though Hassan Rouhani play, do you think, in sealing this deal -- Jamie?

RUBIN: I think he was -- I think he was very, very instrumental. I think he made a decision that the kind of deal that was on the table a few years ago under his predecessor was probably worth doing. And so he came into office. He empowered a new team and the kind of trade of some limits on their program, not ending the program, just some limits in exchange for some lifting of sanctions was worth it to him. And that's what's new.

All the secret diplomacy, all the discussions you've heard about, all the back and forth with the Israelis. None of that is really the central issue. The central issue is that new Iranian President wants to try to put some limits on his program and to get some sanctions relief and see what that will bring in the future. And that's the new element that's why we're here, that's why they reached the agreement.

BLACKWELL: Aaron we've heard this discrepancy between the right to enrich and the right not to enrich or not having the right to enrich in writing. Is it more than cynical to think that even this ambiguity was planned and orchestrated, even the feuding statement was orchestrated this morning?

MILLER: No I mean look, as a practical matter, I think we need to be very sober about what it is -- what it is we've done. We've conceded, we want to use the term right to enrich or not, as a practical matter, we have validated Iran's right to enrich uranium. Now up to a certain level, it will be highly monitored and intrusive inspections but that that was something that was a sine qua non. It was the key deal breaker from the Iranian perspective. And the international community has -- has conceded this.

Again, the question is not what happens in the next six months. The question is whether or not these negotiations will produce an end state, a relatively stable end state in which there will be enough assurance that there will be enough time on the clock so should the Iranians invalidate the agreement and try to dash for a weapon, there will be enough time so that the international community, the United States in particular or perhaps the Israelis would be able to detect this and to do something about it.

And we have to be very sober about this. Iran has mastered the fuel cycle it has the know-how to produce a nuclear weapon. It will always have that capacity.

PAUL: OK.

MILLER: So the best you're going to be able to do again is put more time on the clock. And that's -- that's no small accomplishment if you can get it done.

PAUL: Well Aaron David Miller and Jamie Rubin, we so appreciate your insights. Gentlemen thank you again for being here.

MILLER: Pleasure.

BLACKWELL: Still ahead on NEW DAY, the bones of the world's first Pope are unveiled to the public today for the first time ever. Why the Vatican took so long to put the relics on display.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Sixteen minutes to the top of the hour, in this morning's "Faces of Faith", a historic first for the Catholic Church. The Vatican this morning publicly displaying what's believed to be the bone fragments of St. Peter an apostle of Jesus Christ and the world's first Pope.

PAUL: Now here's the thing. They were found in the 1940s buried under St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Well today the Catholic Church unveiled them to mark the end of its year of faith.

BLACKWELL: CNN's Ben Wedeman joins us now for more. Ben OK so they were found 70 years ago. Why did the church wait so long to display the relics?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well now that we're at the end of this year of faith, I think it's something of a lift of faith to say that those are indeed the remains of St. Peter. They were actually kept for decades in an urn in the Papal apartments with an inscription that essentially said tradition holds that these are the bones or remains of St. Peter. Now circumstantial evidence may point to the possibility that those are the bones. After much study was found that they belong to a man who was about 5'7" who died between the ages of 60 or 70 which does coincide with the traditional narrative of the life and death of St. Peter. But there's no way anybody can carry out any sort of DNA test on those bones to actually ascertain they belong to St. Peter.

One more bit of evidence to add is that apparently they were found in an underground cavity that did have an inscription in ancient Greek that said Peter is within which indicates or suggests that somebody by the name of Peter was buried down there. But historians and archeologists aren't all together convinced but really this is a matter of faith when it comes to the Catholic Church.

PAUL: All right. Ben Wedeman in Rome, we appreciate it so much. Thank you.

Our belief blog, by the way, cnn.com/believe has a lot of stories of faith. And if you haven't seen this story yet, it is a must read.

BLACKWELL: Yes, in the Philippines a large statue of Jesus survived super typhoon Haiyan. Check it out. It's there at cnn.com/belief.

All right. Coming up next, Black Friday, I'm ready. This year I'm getting more than a crock pot. I'm telling you, I'm going to get it.

PAUL: You only got a crock pot last year?

BLACKWELL: I went for a TV and it was gone. I had to buy something, a crock pot, it was $9.

Well, it's starting to feel a lot longer than just one day of shopping mania -- we're talking about Black Friday. What retailers are doing to lure you in right now and why steals and deals are starting so early this year? Next on NEW DAY.

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BLACKWELL: I love this song.

PAUL: I do, too. I do too and it's already in the malls --

BLACKWELL: Yes.

PAUL: -- which leads into our next segment. Considering that Black Friday is still the busiest shopping day of the year. But you know what; it's starting earlier this year than ever before.

BLACKWELL: Yes. Well, they have to start early. Thanksgiving is so late they want to get it in. They're getting it in. Sales are starting already this week.

CNN's Alexandra Field has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The mad dash used to start on Black Friday -- shoppers crushing for steals and deals. This year, bargain hunting is beginning a week earlier.

Wal-Mart is slashing its prices for a pre-Black Friday sale that started on Friday. That's seven days before the shopping holiday that keeps creeping up on Thanksgiving Day.

KATHY GRANNIS, NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION SPOKESWOMAN: We know last year 35 million shoppers were out in stores and shopping online on Thanksgiving day. And we're fully expecting to see just as many people this year.

FIELD: On Thursday, Wal-Mart will open its doors at 6:00 p.m.; Toys "R" Us opens at 5:00 p.m. But how do you entice shoppers to come inside? Big box stores are luring shoppers in with promises of low prices and more price matching with competitors.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's better to be first in line than to be last and wonder if you're going to get something that you really want.

FIELD: At this best buy in Fort Myers, Florida, they're already camping out for Thursday's sales; same thing in Akron, Ohio.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A couple of us are looking for TVs as, you know, presents for our family.

FIELD: The National Retail Federation says millennials are driving the Thanksgiving Day shopping trend, but it isn't for everyone.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's just absolutely crazy. I know they do it every year. And every year I say the exact same thing. It's just crazy.

FIELD: Black Friday still draws the biggest numbers, 46 percent of consumers will hit those sales. And 34 percent of shoppers will be back in stores Thanksgiving weekend.

So had enough yet? Of course not. Cyber Monday is around the corner and it isn't just for Monday anymore.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Last year the days cyber Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday were all over a billion dollars online.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL: Oh, my gosh.

BLACKWELL: That sounds nice.

Alexandra Field, live at Herald Square in New York. All right. So what is driving all these sales? So early, in fact?

FIELD: Ok. Well -- right. Well, this is a shorter holiday shopping season than what we're used to because Thanksgiving is coming later. So first, retailers want to maximize on any days that they have between now and Christmas. That said, the retail experts say we'll still see the same patterns that typically hold true during a holiday shopping season. The rush of early shoppers then things sort of taper off and then you'll get that crush of last-minute shoppers and the deadline will sneak up on you this year -- Victor, Christi.

PAUL: All right. Alexandra Field at Herald Square, have you seen any really good deals though? I mean really good deals. It's got to be 50 percent to 60 percent.

BLACKWELL: Oh, yes. They're out there.

PAUL: Alexandra, have you seen them?

FIELD: Right. 50 percent to 60 percent, that sounds pretty good to me. I've got to tell you though, if the temperatures stay the way that they are in New York City right now, I'll be somebody who will be looking for the online deals obviously on cyber Monday group. But, you know, hey, if you look, they're out there and they're being widely advertised this week, particularly by the big box stores who want to make sure they're tracking the shoppers before Black Friday even.

PAUL: All right.

BLACKWELL: All right.

PAUL: Well, good luck with it out there.

BLACKWELL: Still to come on NEW DAY, a deadly winter storm sweeping across the country.

PAUL: Forecasters are warning us this could mean delays for so many of us travelers this Thanksgiving -- the latest on the trajectory in just a moment.

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BLACKWELL: Take a look. Europe's tallest and most active volcano erupts over the skies of Sicily. Now this eruption sent black smoke and dust almost two miles into the sky. Authorities had to shut down part of a nearby highway just as a safety precaution. And imagine seeing that in the sky over your house. No evacuations or damage was reported.

PAUL: Well, imagine seeing this in the water. Travelled to space already and made a trek through the North Pole. But that is the Olympic torch there that took a plunge into the worlds deepest freshwater lake. This is in Russia. Special (inaudible) kept the flare from going out. But the torch was on the longest relay in Olympic history. It's going to be used to light the Olympic flame when the Sochi Games begin in February.

BLACKWELL: A live look at Dallas this morning. Looks nice, right.

PAUL: Doesn't look bad.

BLACKWELL: 27 degrees is the feels-like temperature there.

PAUL: Ouch.

A deadly winter storm expected to make more snow, sleet and rain today in Dallas. What you're seeing there could look different by tonight with two inches of sleet by tomorrow morning, too.

(CROSSTALK)

PAUL: So all of you out there, take care of yourself because that is never good to try and drive in.

BLACKWELL: No. And there are a lot of people who're going to be traveling -- more than 40 people -- yes, more than 40 million people expected to travel for Thanksgiving.

PAUL: Karen Maginnis from the CNN Severe Weather Center, how bad is it going to be?

KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, it does look like it's going to be pretty messy that day before Thanksgiving especially along that I-95 corridor where temperatures may rebound just a little bit. No, not today -- they'll be hovering around the freezing mark.

But as we go towards Wednesday, they'll bump up a couple of degrees and we're still looking at the computer models. So for today, New York City is 32 degrees. You can see in the low 40s by Tuesday but then the forecast of that area of low pressure now in the Gulf going to spread rainfall across the southeast through the mid-Atlantic. On the backside of that, that's where we'll expect the snowfall -- maybe heavy at times. But depending on the track, we may see an icy mix.

But up and down the spine of the Appalachians, some snowfall, maybe an icy mixture in places like Charlotte, North Carolina. We may expect an icy situation across Washington, D.C. But we'll keep you updated on that. Back to you -- Christi, Victor.

PAUL: All right Karen. Thank you so much. Have a great rest of your weekend.

And if you're ever curious about how the world's busiest airport handles all the traffic for the busiest travel week of the year, we've got you covered.

BLACKWELL: Yes, cnn.com has exclusive looks. 24 hours in Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International go to cnn.com/ATL24.

PAUL: Go make some great memories today and thank you so much for sharing your time us with.

BLACKWELL: "STATE OF THE UNION" with Candy Crowley starts right now.