we are hearing that jason rezaian, amir and two others might be released. they have said that four iranian americans are released. they have not given the names of these americans. several have vorted that jason rezaian has been here for over 500 years -- 500 days held in prison is also one of them. until now, we are not sure who is released, if they are being transported to the united states and are brought to their families. the fact, itself, is real, truly, as they said, remarkable. these negotiators must have been going on on the sideline. in iran, your not only negotiating with the government and the foreign ministry, also, iran's judiciary has to talk about that. intelligence agencies have to give their say. this must have been an incredibly complicated process. until these four people are really clearly released, we have to wait and see if this is for 100% confirmed. >> so thomas, the follow-up, then is is there any announcement on timing on when this could happen? >> well, i assume that by later today, we must know more. as you can see, it is alread

they're waiting to greet jason rezaian as well. but most importantly for them, the help that will get them through the transition from being in one of the most feared jails in iran for periods of detention that they knew were stretching on for years ahead of them and the thought that any moment there was a potential to be beaten, for torture, this prison in tehran has such a bad international reputation among human rights observers. so they will get to the base there in germany. they will begin to get physical checkovers to make sure they're physically in good shape, that their diets haven't -- jail diets haven't had a negative impact on them, that they're not suffering any diseases. but they'll also get some sort of counseling, if you will, psychological counseling, at least first assessments, conversations with professionals who are familiar with this. of course amir hekmati, a marine for four years, 2001 to 2005, he'll be back on a military base. he'll be sort of familiar with the surroundings there to a degree perhaps more than

reporter jason rezaian and amir hekmati and saeed abedini. less is known about two other men iran just released. nosratoliah khoshawi. and matthew trevithick. his release was not part of this exact prisoner swap. let's bring in the latest with the cnn correspondent frederik pleitgen at the air base in germany where these prisoners were just released. what is the latest now this morning, fred? >> reporter: it was an odyssey for them to come here from tehran. i was covering this all yesterday. they took a swiss government flight from tehran to geneva and then another flight to the ramstein air base in germany to the landstuhl military hospital. this is a world class facility. over the next couple days, they first of all will get medical treatment and probably both physical and psychological. the report in jason rezaian's case, there was a lot of concern about his health with his high blood pressure. he was held in one of the toughest detention facilities in iran. and amir hekmati, in prison for four years in iran. so all of the three men will b

the jason rezaian trial, as it was going on. i think jason rezaian was able to meet with his lawyer two or three times during the entire time he was on trial e wasn't clear for a lot of the time what he was being accused of. we don't know. i am assuming if he is released, it will be pretty quickly he will be out of the country. >> thank you for your report from germany. more cnn coverage of this breaking news right now. >>> we do have some breaking news. i'm christi paul. >>> i'm victor black well. good to be with you. >> we are welcoming our viewers in the u.s. and around the world. the breaking news this hour, out of iran after nearly 18 months in prison in an iran january jail, american journalist, jason rezaian has been freed. that news reported by iran's semi official farce news agency. >> iran is being released as part of a prisoner swam, along with amir

we haven't heard much about that from jason rezaian's family. perhaps we will in the days or weeks to come, about exactly what he was put through by the authorities, but we know there were times he was in poor health, times when he needed medication, and i would suspect one of the first things that will happen once he's able to leave iran today is there will be medical checkups and an investigation to see what his condition is. my suspicion is they will be flown first to the u.s. military base in germany for some medical attention. that's normally what happens. maybe even before these americans come back to the united states. we'll see if that happens. chris frates, i know you're working your sources at the white house. when you get word, when we're going to hear from the president of the united states, let us know. brian, you're working your sources, as well. we'll stay on top of this story. let's take another quick break and we'll be right back. amerivest selects the funds and manages your portfolio. is it run by robots? no no, you can talk to

now, jason rezaian, along with the others is being released. it is absolutely 100% connected to implementation day. it is not an accident it is happening today. >> good point, christiane amanpour is working her sources. she is staying with us. we are following breaking news. we are expecting to hear from the iranian foreign minister that probably the u.s. secretary of state john kerry as well. president rouhani of iran will address the iranian people. we will see if the president of the united states makes a statement to the american people as well. we'll take a quick break but i want to read to you a statement we just got in from the family of amir hekmati, the u.s. marine who was a prisoner in iran for years. the family saying we thank everybody for your thoughts during this time. there are still many unknowns. at this point, we are hoping and praying for amir's long-awaited return. we'll be right back. i think it landed last tuesday. one second it's there. then, woosh, it's gone. i swear i saw it swallow seven people. seven. i just wish one

you were actually in the same prison as jason rezaian, at a different time. this is a prison that is notorious for its tough treatment of prisoners. how were you treated while you were there? >> well, some prisoners do experience physical torture. i did not. but there is something called white torture, which doesn't leave a mark on your pod adbody. it's a combination of being put in isolation, like these prisoners were for lengthy periods. you're cut off from the world, threatened by your captors, maybe forced to make a false confession. these are aimed at robbing you of dignity and making you feel helpless. there can be lasting effects from that. >> one of the prisoners stayed behind in iran after being released from the prison. what is your reaction to that, and would you ever return to iran? >> i guess it's everybody's personal choice, if they want to stay. i suppose he may have had family there. i don't know if it'll put him at greater danger in the future, if he'll be monitored by the iranian authorities. that is a person's personal decision. i hope i ca

. >> jason rezaian is coming home. the courageous journalist for "the washington post" who wrote about the daily lives and hopes of the iranian people. he's been held for a year and a half. he embodies the brave spirit that gives life to the freedom of the press. jason has already been reunited with his wife and mom. pastor saeed abedini is coming home, held for 3 1/2 years. his unyielding faith has inspired people around the world in the global fight to uphold freedom of religion. now he'll return to his church and community in idaho. amir hekmati is coming home. a former sergeant in the marine corps. he's been held for 4 1/2 years. today his parents and sisters are giving thanks in michigan. two other americans unjustly detained by iran have also been released. nosratoliah khoshavi and matthew trev knittic. when americans are reunited with their families that's something we can all celebrate. today we're united in welcoming home sons and brothers who in lonely prison cells have endured an absolute nightmare. but they

are you awaiting jason rezaian's arrival at your location? >> yes, we are. >> and you've been there standing by since friday. when did you have a sense that this swap would actually happen? >> well, actually, first we went to geneva, then we came to germany. as to when we had a sense as to when this might happen, you know, several days ago we were hearing from a reporter who has been covering this that something might happen soon. and we also heard from certain contacts within iran itself that there might be something imminent. >> so it wasn't the u.s. government tipping you off telling you to get ready, it was actually one of your own reporters? >> it was not the u.s. government telling us to get ready. it was a reporter doing her job covering national security and diplomatic relations who told us that the word she was getting was that something might happen soon. >> doug, what are your emotions right now as you wait to see jason rezaian for the first time in over a year and a half? >> i'm relieved, but i'm also elated. i remember the mornin

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. >> 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, they can take people hostage in order to gain concessions. and the fact 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. >> 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 a

three of the four names are well known including jason rezaian. a fourth seems to have taken a lot of people by surprise. even the iranian news reports have been getting the different four names of the prisoners that were released in iran confused. so a lot of this still needs to shake out but the only thing so far that seems clear is that according to multiple sources in iran that there was a prisoner exchange, that four people were released in iran, including jason rezaian, or are in the process of being released, and that seven other names have been listed that the united states appare apparently dropped charges for, released. but united states close-lipped about all of this. the vast majority of information coming from iranian sources. >> thank you to nbc's richard engel in vienna. the 2016 presidential candidates are starting to weigh in on this breaking news out of iran. there's more on that next. for action flo! business small business edition. oh, no! i'm up to my neck in operating costs! i'll save the day! for plumbers and bakers and scap

the "washington post" talking about their correspondent, jason rezaian. friends and colleagues at "the washington post" are elated by the wonderful news that jason rezaian has been released, says "the washington post." another note, richard, bob levinson, another u.s. national who went missing in iran back in 2007, he has not been released by the iranians. the iranians say they simply don't know where he is. his family is saying today, "we are happy for other families but once again, bob levinson has been left behind and we are devastated." >> keir, do we have any idea how long they might be staying in germany? >> reporter: we don't know. it can take, from previous cases, a few days. they're keen to get home. i imagine they will try to expedite all the things they need to do, the debriefing that they feel they need to do here. we're assuming they do come here. we think they will. they are expected to. if that happens, they'll go through that procedural as thoroughly but as quickly as they can, and then send them on their way. richard, again, though, this

the "washington post" reporter jason rezaian, and the former u.s. marine amir heck mauney, and the missionary saeed abedini, and also american student math trevithick. and now, rezaian, hekmati and abedini are in a hospital in germany and getting medical checkups, and we are joined by fred pleitgen at the lam stul air base in germany, and what do we know about the condition, and have they been able to reunite with the family? >> well, they have been able to meet some of the family members, and we know that, but it is unclear how many at this point, and that is going to go back to the medical checks conducted at this point in time. the physicians here at the landstuhl regional medical s center have a lot of experience of dealing with cases like this one, and apparently, one of the things they are doing is to try to reintegrate these three men as slowsly as possible so they are not overwhelmed by the fact that all of the sudden, they have all of the family members there, and there is medical checks going on as far as the physical side is going on, but

. >> there has been another development in the holding of jason rezaian who has been released from iran in a swap deal. rezaian is a bureau chief for the "washington post" and has dual u.s.-iranian citizenship. the u.s. will release seven, a . >> 39-year-old jason rezaian was arrested with his wife and two photo journalists in iran in 2014. his five and colleagues were subsequently released. but rezaian was put on trial for charges including espionage. rezaian grew up in southern california the son of an iranian father and american mother. he has dually nationality. he became the "washington post" correspondent in 2012. according to state run media he was accused of collecting confidential information and spreading anti-iranian propaganda. they repeatedly called rezaian a spy. those are accusations that hi the post deny. rezaian's family said that he has been deteriorating and has not had access to family and friends. the first idea of a swap was brought up back in august saturday's announcements still came as a complete surprise. paul brennan, al jazeera. >> we'll get more on that in a

he spoke to jason rezaian. he told me a bit about how jason is doing and also how he managed to stay fit and healthy while in iranian detention. let's listen. >> his spirits are terrific. he is feeling good physically. i think he's having waves of complex emotions as you would imagine. if the goal was to break jason rezaian's spirit, they failed. for part of his incarceration, he was in a small cell, three feet by three feet. he says nevertheless, made himself do calestenics and count steps. that is one way he was able to keep his mind together and keep in some semblance of health. >> reporter: now of course as we said the three men appear to be in good health and spirits. at the same time, there is, of course, a protocol that they have to go through. the hospital says they don't want to rush things. it is unclear at this point in time when they will be able to return to the united states. one of the things that ali rezaian said, he said jason wants to put more time in here so he doesn't encounter bad things do

we while talk to jason rezaian's brother about the troubling ordeal. we will speak to secretary of state john kerry and what this means for relations with iran. we have a busy show on this monday. >> sure do. thank you. nice to see you, michaela. >>> elon musk's space-x sets off a rocket successfully, but did it land just as successfully? we have that video next. i'm here to get the lady of the house back on her feet. and give her the strength and energy to stay healthy. who's with me?! yay! the complete balanced nutrition of great tasting ensure. with 9 grams of protein and 26 vitamins and minerals. ensure. take life in! does your makeup remover every kiss-proof,ff? cry-proof, stay-proof look? neutrogena® makeup remover does. it erases 99% of your most stubborn makeup with one towelette. need any more proof than that? neutrogena. >>> flint, michigan is getting help from an unexpected source in the water crisis. cher is pitching in donating nearly 200,000 bottles of water to flint following the lead contamination in the drinking water. the michigan at

. >> it's been about 500 days that the washington post, jason rezaian. remind of us of his imprisonment. >> well, wolf, you know, rr wja rezaian more than a year ago, about a year and a half ago. he was detained on charges that he was spying. charges of spying, passing sensitive information to u.s. intelligence about iran. he was a washington post reporter, really reveefred as one of the most in-depth reporters about the iranian people and culture. he was, after a very long closed door trial in 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 didn't release any information about what he was convicted of or what his sentence is, and we have had a lot of concern. 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. we do understand she'll

american jason rezaian who has been held in iran since 2014 will be released. he has duel iranian-u.s. citizenship. he was freed along with three other prisoners who have duel iranian-u.s. nationality. the u.s. will be releasing seven iranian nationals as part of this deal. >> 39-year-old jason rezaian was arrested with his wife and two photo journalists in iran in 2014. his wife and colleagues were released, but he was put on trial on charges including espionage. rezaian grew up in southern california the son of an iranian father and american mother. he has duel iranian-american nationality. he became a correspondent i in 2012. according to state-run media he was accused of collecting confidential information and spreading anti-iranian propaganda. iranians state television repeatedly called rezaian a spy. but that is an accusays that his boss at the "post" vigorously deny. he was fount guilty of espionage and sentenced to an unspecified prison term. his health has been deteriorating in recent weeks. he has little access to families and lawyers throughout his a

jason rezaian is among four american citizens freed in a prison swap over the weekend. the "washington post" report are was detained in iran for espionage in july of 2014. in exchange for his and three other americans' freedom. united states dropped charges against seven iranians. the wife of an american saeed abedini said it will be special for hercies to see their dad again. >> been a system mom for -- a single million for 3 1/2 years and the kids uniting will be precious. >> not included in the prisoner respond was form f.b.i. agent robert levinson would disappeared in iran in 2007. >> jason rezaian's brother if mill valley said international support gave his family strength and in a statement he said this gave us the strength to keep fighting for him each day and helps sustained jason resolutions there -- jason rezaian through the or deal. >> three learn contractors and their translator disappeared in baghdad over the welcome kid thatted by militia from the tran late's home. local initials say the group was taken to sadr city and it is done firmed that several ameri

among them is "washington post" journalist jason rezaian. this as united states adds additional sanctions on iran, despite lifting those international economic sanctions over the weekend. our cnn senior international correspondent frederick pleitgen in germany this morning with the latest. >> reporter: well, it's being evaluated right now at the military hospital here . they'll be evaluated physically and mentally as well. the prison in tehran is one that is notorious for very tough detention conditions. however, "the washington post" managing editors have already managed to speak to jason rezaian. they ask him how he's doing after being evacuated there from tehran. he said, quote, doing a hell of a lot better than i was 48 hours ago. also said he was in good spirits, but it was the solitary confinement that he was in for parts of his detention that were the toughest for him. what's been going on over the past couple of hours is that they were flown out of iran on a swiss plane, taken to geneva, then taken here to the medical facility where

jason rezaian saw the humour. he was convicted at a closed door trial of espionage and crimes against security. a claim the newspaper denied. a prisoner report came between the republic and major powers. it was implemented lifting sanctions. some major american news outlets, have acknowledged that they new about the swap. they went on for a year. chose not to report on the story, protecting the safety of those involved. the viel is lifted on a mysterious story involving five missing publishers from hong kong, one appearing on state television in china, confessing to a crime, nothing to do with his work. >> this man living in thailand popped up on chinese television and the crime he admitted to was a drunken hit and run. he and four colleagues at a hong kong based publishing house disappeared. they specialise in tabloid style books, critical of beijing, banned in china. there's no record. it fed suspicions that the five from abducted by authorities. the day after. authorities confirmed they have another publisher i

free prisoners clued "washington post" jason rezaian, convicted on espionage charges, saeed abedini, pastor, nosratoliah khoshawi, a fifth, a student named mathew trevithick. u.s. officials say his release is not part of this negotiated prisoner swap. that's important. this is what we know so far. 14 months of intense negotiations went on before this was finalized. they agreed to drop vances against seven iranians. being commuted at this point we do not have names of the iranians who are being released. i want to go straight to my colleague, wolf blitzer. >> poppy, huge name, major breaking news. we have around the world. our international diplomatic nic robertson joining us from austria. chris frates at the white house. ram mean is at the los angeles times. nic, first to you, the president of the united states, the secretary of the state of the united states, they were pretty widely criticized, especially by republicans for not insisting that those american prisoners should be released, should be freed as part of the nuclear deal earlier on. now they are about to be released as the

close to jason rezaian. he has managed to speak to jason and he told me a bit about how jason is doing and also how he managed to get by in that jail cell in iran. let's listen in. >> his spirits are terrific. he's feeling good physically. i think he's having waves of complex emotions as you would imagine. if iran's goal was to break jason rezaian's spirit, they failed. for part of his incarceration, he was in a jail cell of three feet by three feet. nevertheless, he made himself take steps and count as far as he could when he took the steps and when he lost count, he would start again. that is how he kept his mind together and keep himself in some semblance of health. >> reporter: and one of the really encouraging things we heard yesterday was the fact that all of the three men were able to meet with their friends and family. a lot of them have come over here as part of the u.s. delegation to welcome them back to freedom. nevertheless, the hospital has been saying look this takes time. this is a process. it

among them is washington correspondent jason rezaian. we want to get more from derrick ward. >> reporter: of those -- right, exactly. of those folks who have been released, there are actually four but one may have decided to stay in iran. these are new developments coming in within the last hour. but we're hear outside the "washington post" because one of those people is a reporter for the post who was stationed in iran. he is indeed on his way home. jason rezaian had been held in tehran for about 545 days. he was charged with working to overthrow the government there. he, again, was released among five americans. one of them, a former marine, amir heck tani had been held for four years. there was a christian minister say media abedini who had been held for three years and nos trattou las cause ravi. we've been told he's not leaving. they all are released in exchange for clemency in exchange for seven iranians charged in the u.s. six had duo citizenship. now, i don't know what this will mean for the warming of relations with iran, but wi

and none is other than the "washington post" reporter jason rezaian who has been held since 2014 and convicted of espionage in october three months ago, and the other americans part of the swap are amir hekmati who is a u.s. marine who was held in 2011 on espionage charges, and also, siamak namazi who is from des moines, iowa. and which know that the fourth is not confirmed, and this is coming out of negotiations with secretary of state john kerry. msnbc's richard engel is joining us from vienna, and richard, warm welcome to you, and we have yet to hear anything official about the lifting of sanctions, and is that of a surprise to you? >> it is not a surprise. these negotiations have been challenging from the very beginni beginning. they have been going on for over two years now, and they have seem to have run into another de delay. we hear that it is a minor delay, a quote technical delay, but so far no one has arrived where i am right now. we are at the u.n. headquarters in vienna, and what we had been expecting, and still expecting is someone from the atomic energy association to

surchs, newspapers in case of jason rezaian. i wanted to sayer what "the washington post" has just said. the publisher of the post fred ryan issuing a statement he has been waiting to issue. he says "the post" is elated to hear the news the plane has been taken off and he has been released from iranian prison and we are relieved this 545-day nightmare for jason and his family is finally over. the statement says jason experienced deplorable conditions and inhumane treatment. the top priority must be his health and his well-being. e-mails being exchanged among "post" official and some in those e-mails, "wheels up." he was detained in july of 2014. jason should have been writing the story and he would have been writing about this news today but, instead, he has been behind bars far too long and i'm sure his family must be -- >> incredible. >> do you think, brian, because he is a writer and, yet, the first and foremost as "the washington post" colleagues stated and is so true, his health is most important. at sometime, though, becau

hear what else jason rezaian has to say about his time behind bars in iran. "no i think i'll do great in iowa, i love iowa, i don't think iowa is going to care" plus -- the final gop debate before the iowa caucus. why the republican front-runner decided to a texas teen who spent weeks on the run in mexico -- is back in the u-s. ethan couch -- the so-called "affluenza" teen -- as sent back by mexican authorities earlier today - after dropping his appeal against deportation on wednesday. he was taken into custody at dallas fort-worth airport around noon. the 18-year old arrived in handcuffs and with a police escort. couch and his mother tonya were the subject of an international manhunt last month -- after he missed a mandatory meeting with his probation officer. couch was on probation after kiling four people in a drunk at the time. we're learning more about the time washington post reporter - jason rezaian - spent as a prisoner in iran. rezaian is one of five americans held prisoner in iran released just over a week ago. he is back in the u-s -- and spoke at

. >> jason rezaian is safe and heading home. as iran and world powers eprepare to implement a landmark nuclear deal, in tehran, five national prisoners have been released. secretary of state john kerry said that the released prisoner include washington state jason rezaian. a pastor, a student and another man. >> it's just spectacular news. >> jason rezaian's does minute grew up with the journalist a in marin county, he says he's counting the days until he can see him again. >> i can't wait to see him. i i hope he's in good health. i know he's getting some medical attention so i'm really happy to hear that. >> today the head of schools told us she's relieved to learn that her former opportunity is safe. she said that jason often returned to the academy to share his experiences with the younger students. >> jason was known as a leader and a connector and someone who cared very deep by about people. he's a very thoughtful and engaging student. >> they're american citizens, iranian citizens who have unjustly been held and we know th

. >>> washington post reporter jason rezaian and four other americans are freed from iran. hello, i'm deborah. on this heels of conifer thags that iran has -- five hundred days and jason rezaian will soon be on his way out for switzerland. toasted the journalists release. >> to jason. >>reporter: cameras aren't normally inside of the trueman lounge, but members made an exception as they watched the minute by minute updates together ft the press club has been advocating for jason rezaian's freedom after they charged rezaian. they denied all accusations. >> it never needed to happen. >>reporter: he was one of four prisoners released. the other prisoners include saeed abedini, 32-year-old michigan marine veteran, amir, and nostratollah khosravi-roodsari. >> iran would like the world to behave to believe that it's changed. >>reporter: that was douglas, this past october, angry over the secrecy around his reporters then conviction. rezaian did not want an interview. we couldn't be happier to hear the news that jason rezaian has been released from the evin prison. applauded the r

jason rezaian, amir hekmati, your husband, the pastor, abedini. do you know, by the way, the fourth american, nosratollah who was freed? we don't know much about him? >> there was -- there was not much information in the media about him but there was some coverage a few months ago, he was picked up, a businessman in dub dubai, dual iranian-american citizen. there was not media about his situation but i was aware of it and i'm glad he's being freed too. he's only been in their custody a few months. >> i assume you and your attorney who has been really helpful in trying to get your husband freed, you've been in close touch with officials at state department. how have they treated you? >> sorry. it's been wonderful. the last especially year, constant communication, constant updates by, of course, last year this time we met with president obama. he was in boise, idaho. we had a private meeting with the kids. just the last year has been the most, the best support. they were continually updating us on the site, the talks with iran and the negotiations.

ali rezaian says the family appreciates every single person involved in the effort to free jason. >>> in less than two hours you won't be able to shop anymore at the walmart near the oakland coliseum because it's one of two walmarts closing here in the bay area. nationwide walmart announced it was closing 269 stores. that's worldwide. including about 150 here in the u.s. abc7 news found one shopper who will miss the oakland walmart on edgewater road. >> i'm sad. i came by here today for the last time, just to walk in here and just to get a good feel of it because i hate that oakland is loses such a great store. >> in san jose, this walmart will close in less thon two weeks. walmart will provide displaced workers with sever residence pay and retraining. >>> ahead, look at intense moments when an apartment building catches fire, trapping people inside. >>> a first person view a firefighters rescue seven people from thick choking smoke. >>> an annual martin luther king, jr. holiday tradition in the bay area returns tomorrow but with some changes. that story when abc7~news at 5:00 continu

the last to leave is jason rezaian. he was detained in july 2014. he released a statement saying he is overjoyed to reconnect with his family. they are all traveling together back to the states. he talks about the plan from here. simply being relaxation and home cooked meals and movies and sports. he also went on to talk about his gratitude. i want to read you a specific quote. in it he says this, at some point i will be ready to discuss my ordeal, but for now, i just want to express my profound appreciation for the tremendous support i have received. and the two other americans returning home yesterday. i know you showed the video of saeed abedini, the emotional welcome by his mother there on the tarmac as he comes off the aircraft and amir hekmati, back in flint, michigan as well. from here, it is an important step these three men have taken, but the doctors and specialists who work at the facility here specializing in the trauma and long-term ordeals, they say this is the first step in the process. >> phil, you talk about the trauma. something we

ali rezaian/ jason rezaian's brother 'he actually knew how the warriors were doing, that's how big a fan he is, from evin prison he's been tracking them' in that notorious iranian prison"! jason says at one point he spent 49 days in solitary confinement. his only exercise - in an eight amir hekmati"! reunited with his sisters and brother in law"! describes being tortured by ir's revolutionary guard. dan kildee/ representativ e of michigan's 5th districthe was in solitary confinement in a one meter by one meter cell cell for a very longime and deprived of sleep.' psychologists at this u-s base are assessing the men's state of mind"! a representative of freed prisoner saeed abedini, jailed for three and a half years, tells nbc news saeed is yet to see his family... while ananher man"! former f-b-i agagt bob levinson is still missing in iran"! iran consistently denies knowoedge of s disappearance and has offered to help in the search for him. keir simmons/ nbc news/ landstuhl, germany at one point the iranians even tried to stop jason rezaian's wife and mother from leaving iran with him

the air rainy and even tried to stop jason rezaian' s --iranian s even try to stop jason rezaian' s family from leaving. one representative tells me that both physically and spiritually, they are doing great. michelle: only wesh 2 was talking to a pastor about his member -- about the member of his congregation who was gunned down in burkina faso out. for al qaeda militants reportedly opened fire at a hotel and cafe. mike riddering was one of the victims. he was in africa volunteering with his wife at an orphanage caring for children. back here in ocala, pastor mark cummins and the church of hope congregation remembered riddering. >> mike was about caring for kids, helping them get medical care. getting clean drinking water. the evil that showed up that day, the action -- in the end, the love of a guy named mike riddering far outshadowed.> michelle: riddering reportedly owned a boat company in south florida before moving to africa five years ago. michelle: -- jason: a hearing to determine whether the affluenza court system has been delayed. ethan couch fled the country while on probation fo

. >>> well, it was the celebration of not just journalism but the release of jason rezaian. congress members, journalists, dignitaries gathered in northwest washington today to mark the opening of the new washington post headquarters. our andrea mccarren was there. >> reporter: this is the washington post's new home at 1301k street. what made this event so poignant was the presence of jason rezaian freed from an iranian prison ten days ago. an emotional and humble jason rezaian hugged washington post publisher fred ryan and offered his profound gratitude to those who fought relentlessly for his freedom. >> for much of the 18 months i was in prison, my iranian interrogators told me the washington post did not exist. that no one knew of my plight. and that the united states government would not lift a finger for my release. >> reporter: this marked rezaian's first public appearance since his release of 545 days of captivity in iran. >> no other country would do so much for an ordinary citizen. >> reporter: this touched secretary of state john kerry. >> you can never leave anyb

. >>> developing right now, "washington post" reporter jason rezaian talks about the taste of freedom. say, "i'm a hell of a lot better than i was 48 hours ago. please let everybody know that my post family is high on my list and i hope to see everybody real soon. end quotes. it's been a worldwind weekend for the reporter and two other freed americans, after leaving iran they arrived in geneva switzerland and taken to a u.s. hospital. a fourth american is not on the fligt, not clear where he is and a fifth american, student is already headed home. much more on this developing story later in the newscast. >> i will not raise taxes on the middle class. i want to raise incomes, not tax taxes? hillary clinton with a promise for the middle class during the democratic debate you just saw. this is the final show down before voters have their say in iowa. brian moore has a wrap-up how the candidates did tonight. >> in their final debate at this pre-election season hillary clinton pounded bernie sanders on gun control. >> he voted to let guns go on to amtrak, guns go into national parks. he vo

jason rezaian is on his way back as we speak. that is the message that was released by the family just a little earlier this morning local time. on his way back to the united states, where he says he plans to understandably, relax, enjoy home cooked meals and watch movies and watch some sport as well. i want to read a direct quote for you now. he said, at some point i will be ready to discuss my ordeal, but for now, i want to express my profound appreciation for the tremendous support i received. i'm humbled by all i have learned about the efforts undertaken on my behalf. jason rezaian, like the other two men, amir hekmati and saeed abedini, so far, the three of them together or individually have decided not to talk in too much detail about the specifics of the hardship. they are presented very well from what we have seen and heard from them over the last week. they all talk about being incredibly happy as you can understand. no doubt, they have experienced hardship and as the doctors at the medical center explained to us, it is

freedom for san rafael native jason rezaian held captive in iran. he worked for the "washington post" and was sentenced to an unspecified prison term for spying. both the "post" and rezaian deny the accusations. here's the latest developments. >> following secret negotiations for reportedly more than a year, u.s. officials have now confirmed that iran has freed five u.s. prisoners. four of the prisoners were part of an exchange involving seven iranians held by the united states on sanctions charges. one of the captives include "washington post" journalist jason rezaian, who has been held in an iranian prison on spy charges for almost 18 months. marine veteran ameer hekmati was detained in 2011. accused of espionage and other charges in 2012. christian pastor saeed an den any was arrested on charges of attempting to undermine the iranian government. details of the fourth prisoner are not immediately known. the news of the prisoner's release, major topic on the campaign trail saturday. >> i'm happy they're coming back. i will tell you, it's a disgrace

. >> 39-year-old jason rezaian was arrested with his wife and two fortunate journalists in iran in 2014. his wife and colleagues were released but rezaian was put on trial on charges including he is pianoan. he grew up the son in southern california the of an iranian father and american mother. he has dual citizenship. the post said we couldn't be happier that jason has been released. once we have more details and can confirm that he has safely left iran, we'll have more to share. he was accused of collecting information and he was called a spy. but that's an accusation that his bosses at the "washington post" vigorously deny. nevertheless, the revolutionary court found him guilty of espionage and sentenced him to an unspecified prison term. reports say that his health has been detearating over recent weeks. he has had little access to his family and lawyers throughout his incarceration, the idea of a prison swap first emerged in august exchanging american prisoners for 19 iranian prisoners held in the u.s. still yet, the swap came as a complete surprise. >> let's take you to the intern

jason rezaian is coming home. a courageous journalist for "the washington post" who wrote about the daily lives and hopes of the iranian people. he's been held for a year and a half. he embodies the brave spirit that gives life to the freedom of the press. jason has already been reunited with his wife and mom. pastor saeed abedini is coming home, held for 3 1/2 years. his unyielding faith has inspired people around the world in the global fight to uphold freedom of religion, and now pastor abedini will return to his church and community in idaho. amir hekmati is coming home a former sergeant in the marine corps. he's been held for 4 1/2 years. today his parents and sisters are giving thanks in michigan. two other americans unjustly detained by iran have also been released. matthew trevithick, an iranian who was in iran as a student. their cases are largely unknown to the world, but when americans are freed and reunited with their families, that's something we can all celebrate. we are united in welcoming home sons

jason rezaian was part of a prisoner swap with the united states. he is now at american military hospital in germany. >>> and as john suzuki reports his brother has met with him face to face for the first time in more than a year-and-a-half. >> 39-year-old jason rezaian is now at this german hospital after being reunited with his family and two of his washington post editors. before seeing him and after talking with him several times, his brother was encouraged. >> he sounds strong and hopeful and all together which is great. i think it is going to be work but he will get better. >> reporter: the post editor says that jason rezaian told him about his isolated confinement in one of iran's prison and at one point was in solitary for 49 straight days and took months of secret negotiations to get him and three other americans released. in exchange southern iranian men were freed. those on the presidential campaign trail said it took too much to secure their freedom. >> this deal is a really problematic deal and it reflects a pattern we have seen in the

jason rezaian convicted of espionage after a secret trial. confirming iran had dismantled parts of its nuclear program allowing this deal to move forward a deal years in the making. abc's jonathan karl tonight with the stunning turn of events. >> reporter: the release of the american prisoners comes just as the nuclear deal with iran goes into effect, lifting sanctions and making tens of billions of government. three of the americans released had been held prisoner for longer than the americans taken hostage in iran in 1979. former u.s. marine amir hekmati, held for more than four years, after an arrest on spying charges while e siting his grandmother in tehran. "washington post" bureau chief jason rezaian, held for a year and a half, after a closed trial and conviction on espionage charges. pastor saeed abedini, imprisoned since july for organizing home churches in iran. all three spent time at iran's notorious evin prison, where they were allegedly subjected to beatings, solitary confinement and psychological abuse. two other americans were

the four freed americans are washington post reporter jason rezaian, former u.s. marine amir haq mati saeed abedeni and knottralov khosravi. >>student matthew trevithick was also released as part of a separate agreement. >> they should be on their way home to their families. >> reporter: prisoner swap was announced hours before the united nations the international atomic agency certified that iran met his commitments with the nuke lalar deal with six world powers. >> iran has undertaken significant steps that many, and i do mean many people doubted that would come to pass. >> reporter: president obama lifted executive sanctions and that means iran can now sell oil on the open market. iran will have access to the global banking system and the country will recover $100 billion in frozen assets overseas. if it's discovered that iran is still moving ahead with its nuclear program the deal calls for sanctions to once again be imposed wendy gillette cbs news. >>> one of the men freed jason rezaian is from the bay area and we have reaction from his friends. >> reporter:

if you look at the trial of jason rezaian, it was in a secretive court. it's one that's known for handing down very harsh sentences. and for them to then come out and say, we're going to be a part of this. we're going to allow our government to negotiate this prisoner swap that's going on, that certainly does indicate that at this point in time, it is the moderates who appear to be, at least winning out on some of these issues. and if you look at some of the tweets that came from javad zarif today, him saying, it's diplomacy that has won out, and diplomacy is a better alternative than anything else, that seems to be the mood at this point in time among the majority of those in tehran, calling the shots. but really, very remarkable, the events that we've seen today. the fact that the sailors were released that quickly. it's interesting, wolf. i was actually speaking to the head of the iranian armed forces, the land forces, recently, and he said, look. simply the fact that we had these negotiations about the nuclear program. the fact that iran and america s

we believe that jason rezaian will be joined on the plane by his wife, an iranian journalist who has waited 18 months for his freedom. and we also understood the state department will help family members join the others on the journey. cecilia? >>> thank you. the reaction is coming in from the campaign trail. thankful they are coming home. and among the republicans, agreement the nuclear deal is a that's v disaster for america and a victory for iran. there are other sharp words on campaign trail tonight. the love fest between ted cruz and donald trump appears to be officially over. here's mary bruce. >> reporter: tonight, the front-runner slug fest donald trump and ted cruz hurling jabs across the key states. the day started with a flurry of tweets with donald trump blasting his former friend. over cruz's eligibility to be president. ted cruz was born in canada and was a canadian citizen until 15 months ago. lawsuits have been filed. i told you so. cruz fires back. >> it seems donald has a lot offer in energy. donald doesn't react when he is doing down in the polls. >> reporter: and

release of four americans, one of the these "the washington post" former bureau chief jason rezaian, the president calling him a courageous journalist for "the washington post" and he embodied the brave spirit of freedom of the press. >>> a fast-moving day. joins is kristin columnist for the washington examiner, and kiersten powers, a fox news contributor. that sounded like a victory lap from a president who has been hammered, coming against the backdrop of the release of two americans. >> certainly. this as soon as a week of president obama sounding very upbeat and positive about the state of the his administration, and of course republicans in mum ways the polls tell a bit of a different story. here this was a bit of the manages accomplished moment for president obama, but let's not forgot in the middle east you still have nations like saudi arabia their severing diplomatic ties with iran. this story is not over. >> kiersten, the president set only briefly the u.s. was releasing seven iranian prisoners, involved in sanction violations and so forth. it sounded to me like he was anti