>> jim shoou toe is a moment. the president of the iran, historic day. his characterization was speaking specifically about the implementation of this jcpoa, the comprehensive plan of action as it relates to the nuclear deal. releasing four hostages held in iran, some for more than a year, some for several years. this is an amazing day, they'll be reunited, confirmed from a high level u.s. official that that plane carrying those four hostages is in the air en route to switzerland, likely, then in a few days, on to germany where there will get some medical treatment. let's go to jim who is watching the very latest for us, jim. >> this is a day that these

families have been waiting for for years. i've got word from the families that they were informed as soon as that plane was wheel's up. and keep in mind, that initially, the thoughts were that plane was going to take off yesterday. there was some logistical issues, i understand, in the last 24 hours including something as simple as whether jason's mother was on the flight manifest. so red tape added a few hours, a half a day or so to that waiting time for the families, but that it was this morning, our time, when they got the official word from the state department that the plane was in the air. and then, that release that they've been waiting for. and i tell you, the families weren't willing to accept, believe, celebrate until that plane was in the air. and now that is just beginning. and enormous amount of relief from the family, just on the other point, because you have two major events this weekend, you have the release of the americans, and you have the

implementation of this nuclear deal. which, having just visited with the iranian president, i've been there a dozen times, when you go there, the thing that they want most, average iranians is to be a normal country. and to have normal contacts with the world. to travel, to do business, et cetera, that's what the iranian president was speaking to as he was talking, saying iranian businesses and banks will be able to do business with international banks. that hasn't happened for years. he referenced one thing in particular, it has always been mentioned by iranians, and that is airplanes, airplane parts. why is that? u.s. embargo, they don't get boeing parts, they don't get boeing planes. they feel that affects airplane safety. this is the sort of grass roots appeal of this to them, you know, without a nuclear deal, it's about transfer of american prisoners for the iranian people, it's about being

reintroduced to the world again. it's, you know, it's a remarkable day on so many levels. but i'll tell you, i've been in touch with the american family of the americans released. they are full of excitement, full of emotion, and they can't wait to get to germany to be reunited with their loved ones. >> jim, let me ask you a question as it hwill relates to the official confirming these four americans have been released. you've spoken with the families, but this statement leaves a bit of ambiguity, relating to all four of them being on this plane. and this is a quote from the state, and with confirm that our contained u.s. citizens have been released and those that who wish to depart iran have left. have you spoken with the four families, and all four of those hostages are they all on the plane, or is it possible that will one or more is still in iran? >> we know that three of them are on the plane. jason is on the plane.

we know that ameer is on the plane, the former u.s. marine, and we know that syed, the christian pastor is on the plane. so, the question mark is the fourth mosatollah, whether he is on the plane. and that's something that i've spoken to u.s. officials about and we're getting clarity. we're getting clarity from them. and they're leaving it to the family to make it clear what his decision is. we know the journalist, the former marine, and the christian pastor, they're on that plane and out of the country. >> all right. good to know. jim, thank you so much. we appreciate the update. i want to take you now to cnn international correspondent, fred, he is live from the air base in germany, fred, you are very close to where all of these, these americans are going to be within the next day or two. we assume, what do you know about what will happen once they

get there? >> reporter: well, first of all, christi, the folks here at the air base are operating under the assumption that at some point today, they believe that the four, or the people who did go on that plane, are going to come here to the air base and subsequently will be almost immediately brought to the medical facility, which is of course one of america's, probably the biggest military hospital outside of the united states. it's one that's become very well known over the years as we had the iraq conflict, the afghanistan conflict with the many wounded being brought there. it's a high-level trauma center that also is a huge compound here outside of the air base. and certainly offers facilities for the families of those who were just released to also be there with them, inside an enclosed compound to be able is to see their loved ones again, and of course, we do expect that to happen in the next hours in the next couple of days. as jim was just saying there, the big question mark is how long when that plane lands, in

geneva, how long will they stay there in switzerland before moving on here? >> that isn't a very long flight. it's maybe a 30 minute flight to get to here. and then certainly they can start that process of reintegrating, and first and foremost, oef course, receiving medical checks and medical attention. they were in the prison there, in teheran, which is a very, very tough prison. which is one where for instance jason was known to have medical issues. it's unclear what his state, for instance, is, and this is of course a place the medical center, where they will receive world class medical attention in the next coming days, christi. >> will be heading to the medical center after that many visit symptom geneva. and we believe that they are en route there now. let's go to chris rates in washington, and chris, the question has been since the

announcement of this swap, almost now 24 hours ago, when we would hear from president obama. do we have any clarity there yet? >> there's still no clarity there yet. that's been the big guessing game for the last 24 hours or so. we had big news this morning with u.s. officials for the first time confirming what some of the families had told us. that in fact the americans had left. and we have a statement, as well, it says, we can confirm that our detained u.s. citizens has been released and those who wish to depart iran have left. we have no further informationing to share at this time, we would ask that everyone respect the privacy of these individuals and their families. when we have further information to share, we will. that was from a senior administration official. and, you kind of hear there, a little bit of hedging. the fact that maybe not all four were on the plane. here's what i can tell you, amir, congressman said he will be coming home. that's how we know he is on that plane. syed, his wife tweeted that he

would be coming home. jason, he is the washington post reporter, and his newspaper, fred ryan, the publisher there, put out a statement that they can't wait for him to come home. that leaves just one, he's the only one left we have not heard from his family. so, guys, by the process of elimination, if there were anybody left in iran, we suspect he would be the one because we've heard from either the employers or the families of everyone else. >> all right, chris, quickly, we also got word this morning that secretary kerr have i back in the u.s. there had been some speculation that perhaps he would meet with the americans once they arrived in switzerland. do we know why he decided to come back to the u.s.? >> we have not heard why. we don't know whether it was a scheduling issue or why he had to come back across. we will find out. certainly those americanss will go from switzerland to germany, and then be home and we're also looking for word about what kind of reception they'll get once

they're back here in the united states. >> all right, chris fraits for us in washington, thanks so much. and we'll come back as soon as we get any clarity about when we'll hear from president obama. let's goes to our senior media correspondent, whose been watching the response from the washington post. they are as the families of everyone else who is on that plane, and a country celebrating now that jason resign is in en route to switzerland and has been released from more than 18 months of captivity there in teheran. tell us what we're hearing from the folks there at the post. >> yes, the post has been widely praised for the tireless lobbying efforts on behalf of their reporter. you can imagine in any newsroom, in any workplace really if one of your colleagues was being detain ud half way around the world. i spoke to a staffer who points out we have seen a photo ever since he was detained back in july of 2014. i believe the same may be true for the other men as well. we have heard about their condition, we have heard about

how they've been doing, we haven't seen them. one of the maybe best moments later today will be when we might be able to see these men as they get off one of these planes. let me share a part of the statement from the washington post publisher, frederick ryan, he says the post is elated by the wonderful news that jason has been released. we are relieved this 545 day nightmare for jason anne his family is finally over. he went on to say, after enduring such deplorable conditions and inhuman treatment, the top priority must be the health and well being. we know it's probably going to be a lengthy road of recovery for all of these men. i was told by a post staffer, there was lots of celebrating and this morning, and really, most of the e-mail traffic, most of the conversations are about the work, there's a lot of stories now to be told about their colleagues release. >> all right. brian, thank you so much. and we to want let you know, we have heard also from amir eerks family, releasing this statement today. our brother, son, and friend. amir has been released from

ooimpb. we have been officially told that he's on a plane leaving the country. it's hard to put into words what our family feels right now. but we remain in hopeful anticipation until amir is in our arms. as many of you know, the father is ill and soon he'll embrace his son once more. we are incredibly grateful for today's news, we thank or government, all of you wholz thoughts and prayers. we certainly are happy for that family and all of the families as well. big day, obviously for all of them. and to know that his father was ill, it's going to be a big moment for them. >> yes, when they're reunited. confirmation from the family, from the employer of jason, and the wife of syed, still waiting for confirmation of someone connected to the other man that he also is on that plane headed to switzerland, leaving iran after captivity there in the country. we'll take a quick break. new developments after the break.

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breaking news, americans held in iran, some for years are on a plane right now heading to switzerland. they have been released. all of three, at least three of them that we see there, we believe the fourth has been released as well. we haven't heard from his family. and also the u.s. released all seven of their iranian prisoners who we understand many are back home already or en route to that. but we have also been listening to the president of the iran, president hassan rouhan talking about the economic impact that this deal with iea and the international partners, what that's going to do to the country. let's go to richard quest here. he's awaiting the kickoff of the economic forum there where he is, and he has more on the economic impact in iran. good morning, richard.

>> good morning to you. the economic impact is simply vast and at the same time unknown christi. for the very simple reason that not only do you have the effect of the released assets that are being frozen in the european union and in asia and in other parts of the world under the u.n. sanctions, you also have all the companies that are now going to be looking for business in iran. and the country itself will start to ramp up it's oil production. they want to try and get half a million barrels a day, almost imimmediately into the global supply chain. they've told cnn they'd like to go to five or six million barrels a day. now that has huge ramifications for the oil industry, the price of oil which as we have talked abouted many times is collapsing at the moment on the international exchanges. so, we can look at what's happening today in iran from

many different i think a ms. politico, streenlic, underpinning all of that and iran's is the economic and the day, at least that, iran rejoins the global economy. >> yes, they are being reintroduced to the normal life. >> let's turn to retired major general james spider marks. and as we heard from richard, of course none of this happens in a vacuum, general. as we look ahead to the syria talks, a little more than a week away in geneva. and how do you believe that this new level of cooperation, there will be independent and individual opinions of this deal is gad for the world, well good for america, but this new level of cooperation, not only on the implementation on the deal and the swap of prirdss and hostages, how that will impact

these talks potential lil as the countries look for a solution in syria. >> well, victor, that's a great question and good morning to you, christi, let me tell you, i view all of this through the filter as a military guy, and my primary concern is the lifting of the sanctions is what is the technology influx going to look at in the iran and how is that i think that going to be used for military purposes. it's what we call dual use technology. iran is going to buy 114 aircraft for commercial reasons from airbus out of france. what that means is, this commercial use is very -- there's a very low threshold by which this technology can be used for military purposes. so the real point is how do we continue as an international body to deal with iran as the sanctions are lifted, and all these companies start to pour into iran because this is a very fertile market. they want to spend money. they now have access to more

funds. this is going to be something that everybody needs to talk about, relative to the ongoing primary challenge that we have right now. not only in syria, but northern iraq, by way of isis, assad, et cetera, and the mess we've been talking about forever. >> well iran has broken deals in the past, what's your level of confidence that they will adhere to this agreement moving forward? >> past is prolonged. very little confidence. there's no reason to believe this. look, during the period ever these sanctions, you know, victor, iran has been able to establish one of the largest, most robust and modern ballistic missile capabilities in the region. but they've only been able to do that through foreign producers and foreign products and what i would call under the radar type of trade that's taking place so that those parts, those components can be heard up and the technology can be developed internal into iran, but it didn't happen without that type of support. there's very little confidence

that we should have that any of this is going to be easy or that the rules will be followed. we have to be very, very aggressive at every step. i mean, that's why everybody's raising their hands saying, super, the united states had leverage, up until a couple days ago. and now we have essentially stroked a check for # $100 billion, now iran, releases our prisoners, they let our sailor goes, and now that the gates are open and the flood will begin. we have to be very cautious. very aggressive. >> important to have a long memory on this day that we're hearing separation from teheran and from around the world. major general spider marks, always good to have you. >> victor, thanks very much. >> sure. we'll be right back, stay close. the future belongs to the fast.

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severe storms are in south florida, two people have been killed bay possible tornado in manatee county. >> three tornados were reported near sarasota. look at the video we're getting

in of the aftermath there. watches still active as the storms move through miami. our meteorologist joins us with the latest. what do you know? any of these confirmed? >> they are confirmed, three confirmed tornados, two confirmed fatalities, unfortunately terrifying moments coming out of southern florida overnight. it all started at about 2:00, worst it feel hits sarasota this is actually a before and after images of one of the buildings that felt the brunt of one of the tornados that moved through the area. you can see this is a google other image, then of course the aftermath, terrifying moments, there were actually a few people rescued from this particular building as well. you can see buildings in here, the building complete ly. miami has had strong gusty winds with the front line of this cold front moving through. i'm happy to report that the severe weather threat is

diminishing very quickly. we're stabilizing the atmosphere from miami to first lady. believe me, it was a rough overnight for the residents of both sarasota and manatee county where we had the worst of the storms. the east coast of florida also saw some strong, gusty winds. unconfirmed tornados over that region. national weather service will sending out personnelle to assess the damage and determine what characteristic these between tornados were on the scale of one to five, the enhanced scale one perhaps winds at 90 miles per hour. back to you. >> thank you, we appreciate it. lifting of sanctions against iran and the swap of prisoners and hostages is sure to be the focus of the democratic presidential debate tonight in charleston, south carolina. joining us now, jake tapper, host of the lead and state of the union, you have donald trump and bernie sanders and hillary clinton on today.

as it relates to the hostages and prisoners. >> that's right, obviously everybody is happy about the fact that these four americans detained in iran, at least three of them we know are on their way back to the united states. and the fourth has been released as far as we've been told. but beyond that, obviously there are policy questions about whether or not trading seven individuals in prison here having gone through the due process, having gone through the justice system. whether trading them for four americans who were held in iran over what administration officials and others call trumped up charges. whether that is setting changes who also has call for more sanctions woilt the americans

having gone out already that was potentially problematic. and obviously the state of the democratic race really heating up. >> yeah, we have that debate tonight. bernie sanders on, he's in a statistical dent in iowa with secretary clinton. ahead in new hampshire, and now we learned from the new york times, starting to work on getting some attention and some footing in the african american community in south carolina, going to hbcu's, urban radio stations to expect to become more aggressive during this debate tonight. >> well look, secretary clinton has been very aggressive, in fact one of her allies, david brock, has been out there calling for bernie sanders to release his health records. which the sanders campaign thought was a nasty and dirty attack. so we do expect that there will be fireworks this evening at the debate, but also, in just a few minutes on state of the union, because both of them are going after each other on policy differences and now, of course, with david brock, leveling this,

these questions about bernie sanders's health, some people my that it's going more personal from the clinton side of things. we'll see how that develops. we'll talk to sanders and clinton about that next. >> thank you, jake, looking forward to the show. be sure to watch this can't-miss episode of "state of the union." interviews hopefuls donald trump, hillary clinton, bernie sanders, that's at 9:00 eastern, and then at 11:00 p.m. cnn's wolf blitzer, special live coverage of tonight's democratic debate. >> thank you so much for spending your morning with us. >> "inside politics" with john king starts right now.

remember this ted cruz, donald trump hug? well two weeks to iowa, forget about it. >> so i guess the bromance is over. >> trump, cruz clashes dominate a big gop debate. >> who the hell knows if you can even serve in office. >> there was nothing to this birther issue. >> constitution hasn't changed. but the poll numbers have. >> plus history doe