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Iran Releases Five Americans Detained in Iran; Nuclear Deal with Iran Pending Implementation; U.S. Prisoner Swap with Iran Examined; Charges Against Bill Cosby for Sexual Assault May Be Dropped. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired January 16, 2016 - 14:00   ET

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

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[14:01:02] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN breaking news.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: We're following breaking news. I'm Wolf Blitzer in Washington. We want to welcome our viewers in the United States and around the world. This is CNN's special live coverage of the breaking news. Five American prisoners now released by Iran, four of them as part of a prisoner swap. The prisoners include "Washington Post" Jason Rezaian, the Christian Pastor Saeed Abedini. Also being released, Amir Hekmati, a marine veteran from Michigan. Nosratollah Khosrawi, we don't know anything about Mr. Khosrawi, yet we're learning more about his case. A fifth American, Matthew Trevithick is a student who was recently detained in Iran.

U.S. official releasing details of the deal. They say secret talks with Iran have been going on for about 14 months. In exchange for four of the Americans, the U.S. gave clemency to seven people held for violating sanctions against Iran and dropped changes against 14 other Iranians that likely the U.S. officials say would never -- they like never would have been extradited to begin with. They Iranians gave the U.S. a list of Iranians they wanted released as a goodwill gesture. The U.S. rejected anyone accused of violence or terrorism.

Joining us now is our global affairs correspondent Elise Labott and our senior international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson, joining us from Vienna.

Elise, first of all, what are you learning about the fifth American.

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Mathew Trevithick, we didn't even know that this young student, Wolf, was in Iranian custody. We understand he was detained very recently and was not part of these 14 month negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over Jason Rezaian, Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, and now Nosratollah Khoshawi. We understand that he was detained recently, and the Iranians, although not part of this larger deal, agreed to add him, and he will be coming home with the other four Americans, Wolf.

BLITZER: It's been about 500 days that the "Washington Post" journalist Jason Rezaian has been in Iranian prison. Remind us of the circumstances of his imprisonment, also what we know about the other Americans. LABOTT: Well, Wolf, you know, Jason Rezaian was detained more than a

year ago, about a year and a half ago. And he was detained on charges that he was spying, charges of espionage, charges of passing sensitive information to U.S. intelligence about Iran. He was a "Washington Post" reporter, really revered as one of the most in-depth reporters about the Iranian people and the Iranian culture. He was, after a very long closed door trial which we don't know a lot of information about what happened to him. We understand an Iranian court convicted him in October. The judiciary said in November that he was sentenced to prison, but they didn't release any information about what he was convicted of or what his sentence is, and we have had a lot of concerns.

His family, the "Washington Post," who has maintained his innocence, about his health, but we understand now he is coming home. His wife was also detained at the time. She was released but she was not allowed to leave the country. And we do understand she'll be allowed to leave the country now.

And Amir Hekmati, Saeed Abedini, also in jail for a very long time, Wolf. Their families very concerned about their health and very happy that they're coming home.

BLITZER: All this taking place, this prisoner exchange, Elise, on the day of the implementation of the Iran nuclear deal, formal announcements coming from Vienna, Austria. I assume it's fair to say it's not a coincidence.

LABOTT: It isn't at all, Wolf. And U.S. officials say it was this nuclear deal that really paved the way for the U.S. and Iran to start having these discussions about freeing these Americans and these prisoner swaps.

[14:05:05] U.S. officials say 14 months ago these discussions started taking place. In every conversation they were meeting with world powers in Iran on the nuclear deal, they would have a separate session on the fate of those Americans. As that deal was concluded and it was on its way to implementation, we understand those discussions intensified. Secretary of State John Kerry, with his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Zarif along with top U.S. diplomats, Brett McGurk, the U.S. envoy to the coalition against ISIS, also really involved in this intense diplomacy, which really kind of increased in recent months.

Now that you have implementation day today, Wolf, where a lot of these sanctions on Iran will be lifted, it did pave the way for those Americans to be released and also for these seven Iranians individuals to be released who we understand their sentences are either being commuted or they're being pardoned on charges of violating some of these economic and trade sanctions, Wolf.

BLITZER: U.S. officials say they're actually receiving clemency for the charges that they were pending or they were convicted of. Nic, you're there in Vienna. Walk us through what's going on there now, what we expect to happen in the next few hours.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it has been a very fluid day. Officials at the IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency headquarters are really preparing themselves for the arrival of the Iranian foreign minister and the EU foreign policy chief, Javad Zarif and Fredricka Mogerini. We're told when they walk into the building here, they will give a brief statement, then they will go into a relatively small room and hold a press conference where relatively small handful of people.

This has been something that we've been expecting all day. However, officials here thought this was going to happen first of all late morning, then early afternoon. It's now we're getting into the middle of the evening here. It keeps slipping. About an hour and a half ago the Iranian foreign minister finished up an hour long meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry. The expectation was that the Iranian foreign minister would come straight out here. It's not clear why he hasn't arrived. Officials of the EU foreign policy chief are expecting Fredricka Mogerini to be here shortly. But at the moment it's unclear.

One of the things we are expecting, however, is for Dr. Yukiya Amano, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to give a statement, giving a brief statement about Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal that they signed last summer. This would be in brief. He may not get into the details. He's not expected to make the details public.

These will be handed in a document to the members of the negotiating team to help negotiate this agreement. P5 plus one, Secretary Kerry, his team and international partners, but it will talk about briefly that Iran has complied, that it has reduced its stockpiles of enriched uranium, taken the core out of the heavy water processing plant, reduced the number of enrichment centrifuges, and removed all fissile material from the research facility in Iran, all key components opening the door, when that statement is made for the sanctions, a significant part of the sanctions to be lifted on Iran, freezing tens of billions of dollars in assets.

However, all this was expected to happen earlier in the day, and the one thing that isn't clear to us right now, Wolf, and no official has been make it clear is, why are these delays continuing to happen? What is happening behind the scenes to hold the situation up? It's not clear, no one here is panicking, but, again, they don't have a handle on the timeframe that we're looking at for events that were supposed to happen earlier in the day, Wolf.

BLITZER: They certainly were. You'll stay very much on top of this. Nic Robertson is in Vienna. Elise is in Washington. Guys, thanks very much.

Saeed Abedini is an American Christina pastor. He's been in prison in Iran since 2012. He was sentenced to either years in prison, charged with attempting to undermine the Iranian government. Joining us now is Jay Sekulow. He's the chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice which represents the Abedini family. Jay, thank you very much for joining us.

JAY SEKULOW, CHIEF COUNSEL, AMERICAN CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: I assume the family is thrilled at the prospect that they're about to be reunited. What's the reaction you're getting?

SEKULOW: It's unbelievably positive, as you can imagine. This is a very emotional situation. The family has been separated for three and a half years, a long time. And the concern, of course, has been his well-being the entire time he was in jail.

Part of the advocacy, Wolf, and you and I have talked about this before, is keeping the client alive while they're in prison in Iran. That was a big part of what we wanted to do, make sure he stayed alive. He has.

[14:10:01] They're being relocated to safe zones now. That's in process. They'll be evaluated medically and then reunited with the families. So the families' reaction is thrilled. And you have got to imagine these two kids who have not seen their father in three and a half years. They're just thrilled. I had numerous conversations with some of the other family members, and they are very, very excited. And those kids really want to see their father.

BLITZER: Is it confidential where they will be reunited, because we assume these Americans, they'll go somewhere for some medical treatment, maybe in Europe. What can you share with us about that?

SEKULOW: What we know is that they were being held at one point at an embassy of a friendly country. They've been relocated to another country. And the probability is, and I haven't had this confirmed yet 100 percent, but the information we're getting is that they will be transferred, all of the Americans will be transferred to Germany for medical evaluation, which is the normal situation in these kind of cases. So probably going to Germany for medical evaluation before they're reunited with their family in the United States. That could be days, hours, we don't know that yet, Wolf.

BLITZER: Is the family maybe planning to go to Germany to be reunited in Germany with their loved ones.

SEKULOW: We're waiting for guidance on the State Department on that. As you can imagine, the reunification may take place there, may take place in the United States. We're allowing the State Department, they're experts at this, especially debriefing the individuals that have been held captive, both Amir Hekmati, Jason Rezaian, and Saeed have both been medical issues. We've know that. So they'll have medical evaluation. They State Department takes the lead on the reunification. We're working closely with them on that and are looking forward to that moment. But we're relieved, as you can imagine, that they've been released.

BLITZER: And when the Iranians accused him of convicted him of undermining the Iranian government, he was born a Muslim. He converted to Christianity. He became a pastor. Is that seen as illegal in Iran? Is that why he was undermining the government?

SEKULOW: No, it's -- so what they do in these kind of cases, they did the same thing with Amir and the same with Jason. They charged them with violations of national security, although in this particular case, in Saeed's case, the counsel in that case, the charges all stem from the establishment of an orphanage in Iran. And they had government approval to do it.

So something transpired, and with the regime, you never know, but the plan of what was going to take place was basically establishment of an orphanage outside of Tehran for kids, and it ended up with first a house arrest and ultimately of course it ended up with incarceration in prison and then the two worst prisons in Iran. As I said, the advocacy from our standpoint has been from the outset to secure their release and keep them alive and secure their release, and that has been accomplished.

BLITZER: Let's hope they're on that plane out of Iran momentarily, hopefully very, very soon and these families can be reunited. That will be excellent, excellent news for these families. Jay Sekulow, thanks so much for joining us.

SEKULOW: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: We'll have much more on the breaking news throughout this hour. Coming up, we'll speak to a woman who was held at that very same prison as these men were being held. They've just been released, but we'll get word on when they're out of Iran on a plane flying to Europe, hopefully that will happen very soon.

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[14:17:17] BLITZER: We're awaiting word from the International Atomic Energy Agency about whether Iran has met all the requirements of its historic nuclear deal. Meanwhile, five American prisoners now free in a swap agreement disclosed today. U.S. officials also at the same time dropping charges against seven Iranians convicted or accused of sanctions violations.

The "Washington Post" reporter Jason Rezaian is being released as part of the exchange, so are Pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been held since 2012, as well as a former marine, Amir Hekmati, and one other person, Nosratollah Khoshawi, about whom we don't know much. A fifth American, a detained student, is also being released separately. His name, Matthew Trevithick.

Let's turn to the author of "The New Middle East, Protest and Revolution in the Arab World," Fawaz Gerges is joining us now for more of the global impact of this prisoner release. Do you sense, Fawaz, that the Middle East, the region, U.S.-Iran relations right now at are a potential turning point?

FAWAZ GERGES, AUTHOR, "THE NEW MIDDLE EAST, PROTEST AND REVOLUTION IN THE ARAB WORLD": It really is, Wolf. I mean, the nuclear deal between Iran and United States and the great powers have really ushered in a major rapprochement between the United States and Iran. The relationship is the thing, major engagement on the part of the

United States and Iran. You have pivotal relationship between the foreign minister of Iran, Zarif, and John Kerry. This particular relationship has really made some major changes in the relationship. Both sides appreciate the benefits and that their vested interests are involved in deepening the relationship.

I mean, imagine, Wolf, the American-Iranian relationship was basically for more than three decades institutionalized hostility. Think of how far the relationship has come in just a few months. And this tells you that both the American leadership, the Obama administration, and the Iranian leadership have vested interests in developing the relationship. The question is, there is momentum now. How do you translate the momentum into a new turning point, diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran? How do you get Iran to help put out the fires in Syria and Iraq and Yemen? These are very important questions given the fact that the Middle East is engulfed in major social and political turmoil.

BLITZER: Is it too early to conclude that the Ayatollah Khamenei has now sided with the more moderate elements in Iran, President Rouhani, Foreign Minister Zarif, and that the more hardline elements, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, for example, their influence is decreasing. The more moderate elements are increasing. Do you accept that analysis?

[14:20:04] GERGES: I have no doubts in my mind that neither President Rouhani nor the foreign minister Zarif would have done as they have in the last year or so without the full support of Ayatollah Khamenei. He is the commander in chief. He is the one to call the shots.

Let me give you an example what I mean by that. When the naval incidents happened a few days ago, the Revolutionary Guard's initial statement says, "Well, we don't care what Zarif said. Zarif said that the American sailors would be released very soon." The Revolutionary Guard said "Forget what Zarif said. They are with us." In less than 24 hours the Americans sailors were released by the Iranian government.

This tells you that Khamenei and the leadership very well that the new relationship with the United States is pivotal, that really now if you see what Iran is doing, it's trying to basically trying to integrate itself into the world politically. Don't misunderstand me, Wolf. I'm not saying the Revolutionary Guard and Khamenei have transformed overnight. No. There is a power struggle. There are multiple power centers in Iran. And obviously, President Rouhani and Zarif have been in empowered to take the relationship with the United States to a particular level, the bilateral relationship.

The question is, will this deepening engagement between Zarif and Kerry, the United States and Iran, be translated actually into concrete terms when it comes to the regional parts. This is the question. The Obama administration, as you know, Wolf, has been hoping that Iran could be cooperative, Iran would play a positive as a state that helps bring about a settlement in Syria and Iraq and Yemen. This has to wait, we have to wait and see. No major changes have taken place. My reading is that this relationship has tremendous potential for development and evolution. This does not mean that the United States and Iran are going to become best friends overnight. Of course not.

BLITZER: Because last year, after more than 50 years, the United States and Cuba resumed full diplomatic relations, embassies opened, et cetera. Is it farfetched to think that the U.S. and Iran, after all these years of severed relations, no relations going back to the takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979, 444 days of American diplomats held hostage, do you think both countries are now moving closer to the possibility of diplomatic relation.

GERGES: Slowly and gradually, like a turtle. Cuba is not Iran, as you know, Wolf. Iran perceives itself as a pivotal power, as the unrivaled superpower in the Gulf. It's extending its interest throughout the region, into the Sunni Arab heartland. You have a fierce cold war ranging in the heart of the Middle East between Sunni dominated Saudi Arabia and Iran, and the United States obviously provides security for the Gulf states.

And of course the Iranians still view the United States as a state that is trying to dominate the region and dominate Iranian foreign policy. So even though the relationship has come a long way, even though the bilateral relationship has deepened, a new rapprochement is basically taking place.

I would say that it's going to take a long time for the mistrust, because there is not much trust between the United States and Iran, even though the new moves that we have seen in the last year or so, in particular the relationship between Kerry and Zarif, really this is about building trust. That's what is happening. And the more trust, the more momentum takes place, the more the potential, the likelihood that this relationship will move away from hostility to kind of political correctness and interests, mutual interests.

I think the driving force between American and Iranian foreign policy now is that interests, both sides have vested interest in stopping being enemies and trying to talk to each other and resolve their bilateral relationship.

Again, to come back to the critical question, will the United States and Iran work together in terms to try to put out the regional fires in Syria and Iraq, in Yemen, in Bahrain, in Lebanon? Will they see eye to eye on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? So there is still many impediments and hurdles. But I think we are, as you said earlier, this is a turning point in this relationship that for the last three decades or so has really, we call it institutionalized enmity or hostility, major sea change in basically the imagination, the American and the Iranian imagination so far.

BLITZER: I'll be anxious to see if there is a phone conversation between Presidents Obama and Rouhani. There have been earlier phone conversations after that nuclear deal was worked out. Let's see if there a conversation today or tomorrow. Fawaz Gerges, thanks very much for your expertise.

[14:25:12] GERGES: Pleasure.

BLITZER: The release of the prisoners in Iran sparking reaction here in Washington. The presidential candidates, they are weighing in from the campaign trail. We'll update you on that when we come back.

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FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello again, thanks so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

We're continuing with our breaking news. Iran has freed an additional American prisoner. Five men in all will soon fly home to be reunited with families here in the United States. Several presidential candidates are reacting to the prisoner swap, and some Republicans are wasting no time using the moment to again slam the Democratic administration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Now I have to see what the deal is for the four people, because somebody said we're getting -- they're getting seven people back.

[14:30:03] So essentially, they get $150 billion plus seven, and we get four. It doesn't sound too good. It doesn't sound too good. But we have to see, because this, I just heard about this an hour ago. But -- and I'm happy they' are coming back, but I will tell you it's a disgrace that they've been there so long. It's a disgrace, remember that, a total disgrace.

SEN. TED CRUZ, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have just gotten the news that Pastor Saeed Abedini and three other Americans are apparently coming home from Iran. I simply say, praise God. We don't know the details of the deal that is bringing them home and that it may be that there are some very problematic aspects to this deal. But at least this morning I am giving thanks that Pastor Saeed is coming home. It is far later than it should have been, but we will be glad to welcome him home with open arms.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They should have never been there. And the fact of the matter is that this tells us all we need to know about the Iranian regime. They take people hostage in order to gain concessions. And the fact that they can get away 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)

WHITFIELD: We also heard from Jeb Bush and Ben Carson and Democrat Bernie Sanders. Bush says news of the American hostages being released is welcomed, but he says they were freed in return for Iranians that violated sanctions. "And every time we show weakness," this from Jeb Bush, "it's a victory for Iran" he said.

Ben Carson issued this statement, "I am overjoyed for the families and friends. However, the fact remains that President Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran is fatally flawed and gravely jeopardizes the national security interests of the American people," that from Ben Carson. And Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders said, quote "This good news shows that diplomacy can work even in this volatile region of the world," end quote. So that's what the presidential hopefuls are saying.

What about the White House? Let's get to CNN investigations correspondent Chris Frates who is live for us right now from the White House. When are we expected to hear from the president directly on this?

CHRIS FRATES, CNN INVESTIGATION CORRESPONDENT: That's the big question here, Fred. And we don't have an exact timeline yet. But you've got to keep in mind there is a lot of things in flux right now. Certainly we have the Iran nuclear deal. Whether or not that will be implemented today is still a big question. Secretary of State Kerry is there talking with his Iranian counterpart in Vienna. So there's a lot of different pieces moving here.

The president certainly wouldn't want to get out in front of that agreement if there is going to be an announcement on that, you know, to talk about the Americans who were detained. Certainly he's going to get questions about the bigger Iranian deal. So that is still in flux.

And what we do know from some senior administration officials who we've been talking to today is that the president certainly signed off on this deal, that this was happening on a different but parallel track. They were negotiating both the Iran deal and the deal to release these Americans from Iranian detention. Those were moving on a separate, parallel track.

And the White House points out, despite what we're hearing from that sound you just played from Republicans who say it was weak, they were there too long, the Obama administration officials saying this is all part of the results you get when you take diplomacy seriously. They say that when they opened up talks about cur tailing the Iran nuclear plan, that led to these talks that now we see very happy news out of Iran, the four Americans coming home today.

WHITFIELD: All right, Chris Frates, thank you so much from the White House.

All right, presidential historian Douglas Brinkley with me now. Good to see you. So how would you write this story for President Obama's legacy and his advocacy for diplomacy?

DOUGLAS BRINKLEY, PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: Well, this looks like its' going to be a big success for President Obama and particularly Secretary of State John Kerry. For the last 14 last months John Kerry has been constantly hammering away on this issue, trying to get our prisoners released from Iran. It was always the sour part of the nuclear deal.

Now that implementation day is here, and I think the day is important that this is happening, once these fellow Americans, probably will go, transfer to Germany first, but once they're on American soil, we can all celebrate, because the key thing about being Americans is make sure we bring our own home. And I know there are critics of the nuclear deal, but for at least for this weekend I think we should just be grateful that we're getting these men back alive.

WHITFIELD: And what does it tell you about President Obama approach that there were two meetings simultaneous, one the meetings that were taking place for the nuclear deal, and then there were secretively other meetings taking place about this prisoner swap, and despite a lot of criticism that this administration received, you didn't hear from the president nor Kerry that there was some other consideration being made about return, the return of these Americans?

[14:35:01] BRINKLEY: Well, that's very true what you just said. And everybody is being quite cautious right now. We're operating in very real time. I put in a call in to John Kerry a little bit ago and spoke to him for a very few brief seconds. And there is nothing to report because they're still in the middle right now of trying to resolve what's going on. But it looks like it may be a banner day for America to get these men back. Just imagine what this means to their family.

It is interesting to me as a historian that Ronald Reagan gone inaugurated, and on that big inauguration day the Iranian hostages in 191 were released. And here we are implementation day on the nuclear deal, and it looks like we're getting this release, swap playing out. So it seems like it might be really, truly, a bit of a new tenor coming out of Tehran. We can be, at least for a day, grateful if that's the case.

WHITFIELD: This is happening just a few days after the president's State of the Union address. In what way do you see this potentially setting the tone for the remainder of his presidency?

BRINKLEY: Well, remember, George W. Bush had the famous State of the Union address, the "Axis of Evil," and one of the evil countries was Iran. I still think that U.S. government sees them as part of the axle of evil, but not so much anymore. If this nuclear deal sticks, and, again, what a big if, and we're able to do this kind of swap, our sailors were apprehended for a day when they were in Iranian water, but they then came back. We get so much bad news in the Middle East daily that we might be able to look at this as potentially positive news that there is a bit of a thaw in the relationship between Washington and Tehran.

WHITFIELD: All right, Douglas Brinkley, thank you so much, appreciate it.

BRINKLEY: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, coming up, not many people know what it's like to be held against your and your government's will in an Iranian prison. Next, we'll speak to someone who does. She was held for four months on espionage charges. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [14:40:24] BLITZER: Five Americans held in Iran are now free, four of them part of a prisoner swap with the United States. They include "Washington Post" reporter Jason Rezaian and three others. A fifth American, a detained student, is being released separately.

"Washington Post" spokeswoman Kris Coratti said in a statement, quote, "We couldn't be happier to hear the news that Jason Rezaian has being released from Evin Prison. Once we receive more details and can confirm Jason has safely left Iran, we will have more to share."

Brian Stelter has been covering the story for us. Brian, the release, the negotiations leading up to Rezaian's release, the three other Americans released, they are about to go home. Do we know the timeline of what we anticipate? What are you hearing, for example, from your "Washington Post" sources?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It seems as if these men have not been able to clear Iranian airspace yet and arrive at their next destination. So some of this is still up in the air, maybe literally. People waiting to find out where their current locations are. The earlier reports were that they were at the Swiss embassy in Tehran, that's where it was taking place earlier in the day. But of course it's now late in the day in Iran. And maybe we'll hear very shortly that they have in fact are now on their way to their next designation.

At the end of the month the "Washington Post" is celebrating something very special to their organization. They're moving into new offices in Washington. I can imagine there would be nothing better for "The Post" and maybe for Jason Rezaian to be there for the celebration. The publisher, the owner Jeff Bezos is going to be there, and I can imagine Jason's colleagues can't wait to see him.

I wanted to show you this, Wolf. This is a tweet that the design director for the "Washington Post" just shared. There have been so many campaigns for Jason's freedom, the hash-tag has been #FreeJason for the past 18 months. Well, he designed a new poster this afternoon saying "Jason is Free" that they were very happy to share.

There were so many efforts over these many months for each of these men that were being held. In Jason's case there were buttons, there were letter campaigns. There were events held at Iranian locations. There were many different efforts underway to pressure the Iranian government to let him go. As we now know, it was this secret negotiation going on for 14 months that led to his release today.

BLITZER: And it hit home for journal lists, not only the "Washington Post," but all of us journalist. We obviously have a great stake in seeing Jason free.

STELTER: Yes.

BLITZER: And fortunately he is free for right now. For CNN, it was especially important, because, as you know, Brian, only a few weeks before he was arrested, later charged with espionage, bogus charges to be sure, he had sat down together with his wife with our own Anthony Bourdain for a documentary Anthony Bourdain was doing about Iran. Let me play a little clip from that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANTHONY BORUDAIN: Do you like it? Are you happy here?

JASON REZAIAN, "WASHINGTON POST" CORRESPONDENT: 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. But I love it. I love it. And I hate it, you know. But it's home. It's become --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Talking about beverages, probably would love to get a beer. In Iran, you can't get alcoholic beverages. But you see the human side of this journalist, which is a very, very emotional moment.

STELTER: People EVEN wondered if his interview with Bourdain was somehow related to his detention in July of 2014. There was never any evidence of that, though it seemed to be a coincidence he was taken into custody.

You mentioned these charges. They did seem to be completely bogus. There was never any evidence he was involved in any kind of espionage related crimes. Moreover, the, quote-unquote, "evidence" that was presented by Iran did seem to be pretty ridiculous, didn't actually seem to be related to the case.

So he was convicted several months ago. He was never told what his sentence would be. But there were reports that he could have been facing 20 years in prison. That's why these behind the scenes talks were so important, as they were for all of the men involved today. You know, Jason's brother, Ali, lives out in California. And I've heard, Wolf, you can get some pretty good burritos out in California. So maybe one of these days soon Jason will be having one of those. He said he was looking forward to burritos.

BLITZER: Yes, I'm sure he is, and hopefully that will be very, very soon. Brian, thank you very much for your reporting.

STELTER: Thanks.

BLITZER: My next guest was charged with espionage in Iran, was in prison for four months. She's American journalist Roxana Saberi. Roxana, thanks very much for joining us. First of all I understand you've spoken with a family member of those American prisoners now being freed. Tell us how that went. Who did you speak with?

[14:45:02] ROXANA SABERI, AMERICAN JOURNALIST PREVIOUSLY IMPRISONED IN IRAN: Hi, Wolf. Yes, I spoke to a family member of Amir Hekmati, the former marine who has been in Iran since 2011. And that family member told me that this news comes as a surprise. They were shocked but, of course, ecstatic. They're very happy. They say this is it an end to a very long journey that has lasted four-and-a-half. But he also wanted to know what the family could do to help with the transition process for Amir to return back to normal life in America.

BLITZER: Explain the circumstances of your arrest in Iran. Do you see similarities in what happened to any of the prisoners released today?

SABERI: That's a good question. Actually I think there are a lot of parallels not only between me and some of those prisoners released today, but many of the political prisoners who are held in Iran. When you're arrested, it's not clear what the charges are, what accusations they're going to throw up against you. Many of these charges are bogus, the evidence they present can be fabricated. If you go through a trial, you know, it's a show trial. It's not a transparent process. Often you're in solitary confinement for many days, if not months or even years. There's a long process of interrogation. A lot of pressure on you, mental pressure or physical torture, which some prisoners have experienced in the past in Iran. So, yes, it's just a very difficult process. It's a growing and learning process, though, even when you come out of prison.

BLITZER: How were you treated during those four months of captivity?

SABERI: Well, I have to say that I believe I was treated better than some of the prisoners there who were just Iranian and not dual national like the Iranian-American. But, although, I was not physically tortured, there was something that's called white torture, which doesn't leave a mark on your body but can devastate your mind and your conscious. And that has to do with isolating you, feeling like you're cut off the world, making you do or say things, like a false confession in my case and other political prisoners have had to make, that are aimed at robbing you of your dignity.

BLITZER: I understand, Roxana, you're working on another master's degree in Iranian studies. Would you feel comfortable returning to Iran?

SABERI: I was working on one when I left, but I just left it off when I was actually arrested. I wouldn't go back at this time because I've seen what has happened, and now still there's an Iranian-American in jail, Siamak Namazi. He has been there for more than three months in prison. He is an energy consultant from Dubai, and his family would love to see him freed. He's a good friend of mine. I think there are hardliners in Iran who still have a suspicion toward Iranian- Americans, dual nationals, or they want to hang on to them to show a sign to the world that there is a nuclear agreement in place, but it doesn't mean Iran is going to open up completely.

BLITZER: Roxana Saberi, we're really happy you're out and you're going about your life. And you're thrilled like all of us are that these Americans are being released right now as well. Roxana, thank you so much for joining us.

SABERI: Thanks for having me.

BLITZER: We're also just getting a first look at Matthew Trevithick. This is a picture from his website. Now we're also getting a statement from his family on word of his release. Let me read it to you. "We are very happy that our son Matthew Trevithick was released today after 40 days of detention at the Evin Prison in Tehran. Matt went to Iran in September for a four month intensive language program at the Dakota Institute, a language center affiliated with Tehran University. We are profoundly grateful to all those who worked for his releases and are happy for all the families whose loved ones are also heading home. We look forward to reuniting with Matt and ask that all respect his privacy as he returns," that statement from his family.

We have much more on the breaking news, plus some other stories making headlines today here on CNN. That's all coming up after a quick break.

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[14:51:57] WHITFIELD: CNN has exclusively learned the only criminal sexual assault case brought against Bill Cosby may completely derail because of one email. The email written by a former district attorney in Pennsylvania details an apparent deal that promises Cosby's civil deposition would not be used against him in any criminal matter. CNN anchor Michael Smerconish broke the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL SMERCONISH, CNN ANCHOR: You'll recall that just a few weeks ago the famous comedian was finally hauled into court in suburban Philadelphia to face charges for sexually assaulting Temple University employee Andrea Constand. This after at least 50 different women, you see many of their faces here, all had come forward to say Bill Cosby had molested them.

I have learned that this case, the only criminal charge that Cosby has ever faced, might soon fall apart. I have obtained a document that no other journalist has that could blow the case up. I talked about it last night on "AC 360," but now new information.

So let me back up and tell you the story. Back in 2005, the then district attorney of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Bruce Castor, was investigating Andrea Constand's case. Castor has said he wanted to prosecute Bill Cosby but believed he did not have enough evidence to sustain criminal charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Still, he thought that Constand might get justice in a civil suit. And he claims he said he made an unusual deal to create an atmosphere where she could get that justice. The D.A. told the comedian's attorney essentially I won't prosecute your client if you promise that he'll testify fully in a civil case.

Cosby's attorney allegedly agreed. It was a deal. In the deposition, Cosby admits he had sexual relationships with at least five women outside his marriage, gave prescription sedatives to women he wanted to have sex with, and tried to hide affairs from his wife. Cosby says he gave Constand one and a half tablets of Benadryl, an over the counter antihistamine that can cause drowsiness, to relieve stress. He said that the sex and drug taking was always consensual. Why would Cosby testify so openly? Because allegedly he believed it

would never be used against him in criminal court. The civil case against Cosby was settled and the deposition remained sealed for many years, but then last year a judge decided to release a transcript of it. And the explosive charges Cosby faces now are largely based on that transcript, which we now know could very well be thrown out of court when the case has a hearing on February 2nd.

In the last few days, I obtained an email, this email that I confirmed was written by ex D.A. Bruce Castor to his successor last year, three months before the charge against Cosby. Only those involved in the case have seen this email until now. It's the only clear record of the deal that was made promising not to prosecute Bill Cosby. And here's an excerpt. Castor wrote, "I can see no possibility that Cosby's deposition could be used in a state criminal case because I would have to testify as to what happened.

[14:55:06] And the deposition would be subject to suppression. I cannot believe any state court judge would allow that deposition into evidence. Knowing this, unless you can make out a case without that deposition and without anything the deposition led you to, I think Cosby would have an action against the county and maybe even against you personally." Bruce Castor has been subpoenaed to appear at the hearing on February 2nd at which time I believe the case could fall apart.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, earlier, I spoke to victim's rights attorney Gloria Allred. And she represent dozens of women who have accused Bill Cosby of sexual assaults. I asked for her reaction for this uncovered email.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GLORIA ALLRED, ATTORNEY: Well, I'm not concerned, Fredricka. And there are a number of reasons. First of all, if Mr. Cosby's attorneys were so concerned about his not being prosecuted, then why didn't they get it in writing? And how does he explain his press release where he says that he could reconsider filing.

And, you know, obviously he didn't reconsider, but that's inconsistent with an express and even a written agreement or perhaps an even an oral agreement that he could still prosecute. If it was so firm, then why is he cautioning the parties at the time that he could still prosecute?

So, yes, the defense will make their arguments. Yes, a judge will have to decide. But, by the way, I also note another point. Why is it that when the defense filed this motion for habeas corpus, which will be heard on February 2nd, that they did not include a supporting declaration from Bruce Castor? Why was that omitted if they're so sure of what the testimony will be?

(END VIDEO CLIP) WHITFIELD: Allred went on to say that even if the 2005 deposition becomes inadmissible, she believes the criminal case against Cosby will still be strong if the other accusers would be allowed to testify.

All right, that's going to do it for me. Thanks so much for being with us all day long. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Poppy Harlow has much more straight ahead in the newsroom right after this.

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