siamak namazi it is now 51, when _ in the first place.is now 51, when he _ in the first place. siamak namazi it is now 51, when he was _ in the first place. siamak namazi it is now 51, when he was imprisonedj in the first place. siamak namazi it i is now 51, when he was imprisoned he was 43 and he had lost eight of his best years for no good reason, he was in tehran to visit family in 2015. and was arrested on completely wrong charges of him being a spy for the united states. he was a businessman at that point, had no access to any kind of confidential information and was then cruelly used as a bargaining chip, notjust him but also his father, 80—year—old who himself was imprisoned for more than five years, only because he went back to visit his son. this family has gone through a lot. we have to i'll remember although this is a political and geopolitical story but at its core is a human story. qt story but at its core is a human sto . .., , , story but at its core is a human sto . _, , , ., story but at its core is a human sto. , , ., st

we have connected with us jared ginser who is the lawyer representing family of siamak namazi. with siamak and his family, and how are they doing, and he doing? >> he gave me a call as soon as he came off of the plane, and he said, "i'm finally free" and it is an emotional moment for both of us. i have been at this for 7 1/2 year, and not just for siamak, but his father also a hos naj ir -- hostage, and what he has been through can be told. he spent several years in a cell that was small with no bedding and on a concrete floor and no toilet and going into a bucket, and taken out every day and beaten and tased and lots of horrific things done to him, and that is the begin of the journey, because he was left behind by president obama in 2016, president trump left him and his father behind two more times and finally president biden has gotten the deal done to bring them home, but i am so happy for the family who have become like family to me, and i am so happen fi for all of them to be reunited as a family in so long foin a couple of hours. >> jared, i am interested in what you ca

can you tell me about some of the treatment that siamak namazi has suffered over the years?hat safely in public. siamak namazi his detention was in the iranian revolutionary hard—line military revolutionary ha rd—line military unit revolutionary hard—line military unit of evan prison, he was in a cell that had a concrete floor, a bucket to go the bathroom and, a tiny cell he was taken out every day was repeatedly interrogated on a daily basis for them he was beaten, taste, electrodes attached to his genitals. all this happened intensely and literally every day for two full years. the worst part of the torture was something that wasn't even physical. this was after his father had gotten grabbed when he returned to iran tried to visit in jail. he returned to iran tried to visit injail. he was he returned to iran tried to visit in jail. he was shown the images of his father being arrested at the airport. ken understood post on the images were real. a couple of weeks later his guard came in and told him bad news, yourfatherjust died of a heart attack. i'm very sorry but we decid

siamak namazi, 51 years old. the longest held a rainy american held in on iranian prison.her person detained since 2013. and morad tahbaz and environmentalists detained in 2018. all of them convicted of spying charges which is led the united states to say that these are not ordinary prisoners, these are not ordinary prisoners, these are not ordinary prisoners, these are hostages. as part of the swap, we understand that two of the iranians released from american jails today are not expected to return to iran. those five prisoners, according to irani and officials, were charged with violations of us sanctions. three of them had actually been awaiting trial, two of them the sentences were about to expire. they have now been freed, given clemency as the phrase being used by the united states as part of this prisoner swap. us officials are clear. this was a very difficult decision. negotiations, talks, negotiating with nine rounds of talks here in qatar. in separate hotels, qatari officials shuttling between them trying to wrestle with all of the difficult details to come up wi

the three we know of is 51-year-old siamak namazi, who spent more time in an iranian prison than any citizen in history. shortly after he was arrested his father flew to iran and tried to secure his release. he was subsequently arrested. he's a man in his 80s. he was only released in 2022 on health grounds so if anybody knows what siamak namazi is feeling, his father certainly does. the other two is 59-year-old business marn and a 67-year-old environmentalist. he also holds bridge citizenship, so we know these three guys who they are, we know that we don't know which one of their family members flew over on that qatar jet with them, but some of their family members also flew with them to pick them up to go back to qatar, and it's going to be a moment of extreme joy and relief for these peoples. i mean, we don't need to tell our viewers, it's a notorious prison. it's not an easy place to spend time let alone eight-plus years. this is really going to be a moment of massive relief for these guys. and they probably, you know, didn't know that they were going to be released up until a cou

look, i was so pleased to see siamak namazi and morad tahbaz and others come home. we weren't going to pay $6 billion or a billion plus per hostage because that creates a market for hostages. it makes your blue passport worth a billion dollars. i'm concerned that americans traveling abroad will be targeted by countries like russia and china and iran but also terrorist organizations who know that they can get a big ransom if we pay these sorts of fees and we just weren't prepared to do it. we had unprecedented success bringing americans home from all over the world. the other issue, margaret, what is iran going to do with that money. we saw this with the jcpoa. they took that money and spent it on terrorism and ballistic missiles and nuclear programs. i'm afraid they will build for drones and kill ukrainians with the money we gave them. i'm very concerned about the look of the deal internationally. >> as you know the current administration would argue that those funds are being meld a restricted account in qatar like they were held in a restricted account in south ko

and 51—year—old siamak namazi, who spent the longest in the notorious evin prison.s statement today... the we spoke to one of his relatives who also spent time in evin prison. it is a joyful day but knowing siamak namazi and his strong personality and his values, i'm sure that he will try to come out of this trauma as soon as possible so he can dedicate his time elsewhere. freeman, arm in arm, and he then took a call —— free men, arm in arm, and he then took a call from the top diplomat in america who has vowed to stop this hostagetaking. we will take steps every day to make this practice more and more difficult, and more and more of a burden on those countries that engage in it. this is such an extraordinary moment in this extraordinary setting, and a painful personal ordeal for americans who became bargaining chips in iran's wrangling with the west and they could only secure their freedom through this very political deal which is highly complex and deeply controversial. iran's leaders see this as a victory, it is why critics of the deal including leading us republ

>> reporter: ana, this is a hugely significant moment for these prisoners, as you mentioned, siamak namazins in iran. for the namazi family, after siamak was arrested his father flew to secure his release and he was subsequently arrested and kept in prison here on 2022 and was only released on medical grounds. he was a man in his mid-80s with failing health, they let him go, so siamak's namazi's father really knows what his son has been going through first hand. so this is go to be a really joyous moment, full of relief for him. and the other two prisoners that have also been released, emad shargi and morad tahbaz, they've also spent a very long time. as you mentioned this is the culmination of back channel talks, back room talks, indirect talks between tehran and washington that has culminated in this release. yesterday, there's been a lot of criticism of the biden administration for what people has said is page essentially a ransom to get these guys out. that this will only encourage the regime to take more people because it's been so profitable for them. but the bottom line is that thes

siamak namazi was left behind by president obama in 2016. from their, i told the family, he will be out in a couple weeks. instead -- by the end of the obama administration they were hostages. then president trump comes along and we hope along with the family president trump is talking about maximum pressure on iran, great. see if that works. it turns out the campaign was a zero pressure policy on american hostages. there's not a single action taken by president trump to put pressure on iran that connected to hostages that had any impact. four years later not only were they still in jail, but despite having been promised it would not happen, they were left behind two more times. americans that were taken later were -- deals were struck to get them out and the namazis were left behind. so what is the difference between barack obama and donald trump for then? the answer is nothing. no administration seems to take this seriously. i am glad president biden got this done but the reality is this is not a top priority of this administration or any

siamak namazi, 51 years old, the longest held iranian—american in detention in an iranian prison. another businessperson detained since 2018. and also morad tahbaz, an environmentalist, also detained in 2018, all of them convicted of spying charges, which has led the united states to say these are not ordinary prisoners, these are hostages. as part of this swap, we understand that two of the iranians released from american jails arrived in doha today. the three others released as part of this deal are not expected to return to iran. those five prisoners, according to the iranian officials, they were either convicted or charged with what were violations of us sanctions. three of them had actually been awaiting trial. two of them, the sentences were about to expire, but they have now been freed, given clemency, is the phrase being used by the united states as part of this prisoner swap. us officials are clear, this was a very difficult decision in negotiations, indirect talks, talks negotiated or nine rounds of discussions here in qatar, iranians and americans in separate hotels. qa

and 51—year—old siamak namazi, who spent the longest in tehran�*s notorious evin prison.s statement today... we spoke to one of his relatives who also spent time in evin prison. it is a joyful day but knowing siamak namazi and his strong personality and his values, i'm sure that he will try to come out of this trauma as soon as possible so he can dedicate his time to constructive ideals. three men, arm in arm, and he then took a call from the top diplomat in america who has vowed to stop this hostage taking. we will take steps every day to make this practice more and more difficult, and more and more of a burden on those countries that engage in it. this is such an extraordinary moment in this extraordinary ——ordinary setting, and a painful personal ordeal for americans who became bargaining chips in iran's wrangling with the west and they could only secure their freedom through this very political deal which is highly complex and deeply controversial. iran's leaders see this as a victory too. it is why critics of the deal including leading us republicans say it will only

and 51—year—old siamak namazi, who spent the longest in the notorious evin prison.ne of his relatives who also spent time in evin prison. it is a joyful day but knowing siamak namazi and his strong personality and his values, i'm sure that he will try to come out of this trauma as soon as possible so he can dedicate his time elsewhere. freeman, arm in arm, and he then took a call from the top diplomat in america who has vowed to stop this hostagetaking —— a free man. we america who has vowed to stop this hostagetaking -- a free man. we will take ste -s hostagetaking -- a free man. we will take steps every _ hostagetaking -- a free man. we will take steps every day _ hostagetaking -- a free man. we will take steps every day to _ hostagetaking -- a free man. we will take steps every day to make - hostagetaking -- a free man. we will take steps every day to make this - take steps every day to make this practice more and more difficult, and more and more of a burden on those countries that engage in it. this is such an extraordinary moment in this extraordinary setting,

jared genser, a human rights attorney, and pro-bono counsel for the siamak namazi family. orked on the campaign for namazi's release and joins us from geneva. welcome, good to see you. jared: thank you for having me. amna: siamak have been held for nearly eight years, have you spoken directly with him? jared: i have, he gave me a call before they took off to say they would be wheels up. and when they landed i saw on my hotel tv him coming down the stairs it was amazing after advocating for him and his family. he gave me a call and said i am with a huge amount of joy, i am free. this is what we had been waiting for. amna: you tweeted a photo of him with a great big smile. he looks about as happy as anyone could be. we know he will be assessed medically and psychologically and given the support he needs could we remember this desperate , high-risk interview he gave. what can you say about his emotional and mental state? jared: clients of mine have been hostages around the world and it is overwhelming. obviously this is front-page news, top story around the world. he is living

in the case of siamak namazi here here in glass, nearly eight years. listen to the joy as they walked off the plane in virginia. [ cheers ] >> they were released as part of a wired deal that included release of five riranians in th u.s. and also unfreezing of nearly $6 billion. and so natasha, what happens to the freed americans? they have a long road to recovery even as they are obviously very happy to be home. >> yeah, and as you said, all of these five americans have been imprisoned there in iran for at least five years. in the case of one, siamak namazi, he has been there for over eight years. so now it is a long process for them to rebeing a will i mate into society, readjust to normal life after being held captive essentially by iranians for so long. and that is the u.s. that the special envoy for hostage affair as really conveyed to them when he spoke to them after they all landed on u.s. soil earlier this morning at ft. belvoir. he says we encourage you to take advantage of the support program. and he also said that the whole thing from beginni

this really ends a long nightmare for the dual iranian american citizens, one of shem, siamak namazi has been in prison since 2015. he's been extremely angry with the biden administration for lack of action on their part. and the obama administration which negotiated a similar deal that thanamazi was left behind that deal at that time. and then bringing home wrongfully detained americans overseas a sint tral part of its foreign policy. of course, this has received a lot of criticism here at home because of that $6 billion that i mentioned earlier. republicans really seizing on that saying it amounts to a ransom payment. but of course, the administration says, look, we see an opportunity here to get these five iranian americans home, back to the u.s., back to their families and we're going to seize it. of course, emphasizing this is not u.s. taxpayer money, is this iranian money that there be transferred to accounts overseen by qatar and the u.s. treasury department for their disbursement, kacie. >> can we talk about the limitations on that money? my understanding is that the iranians

lot more details about that, but imagine these people who have been there eight years, nearly, siamak namaziers who are waiting, another minute delay is torture for them. if they are indeed on the way to the airport, that's fantastic, and they will get on to this qatar plan, leave iran ran airspace, get on the tarmac in doha, be transferred after a medical check to a u.s. government plane, and arrive here at a u.s. military base. we don't know exactly which one. we assume andrews, but we don't know. later, tonight, and their particular ordeal, this phase will be over, though there will be counseling, and getting acquainted with free life and family that's going to have to happen. >> let's listen to part of your interview with siamak namazi who in october would have been in the prison for eight years, and he wrote why have i been left to rot, his words. >> the longest, since the famous hostage crisis in '80. three times longer. >> let's let everyone listen to this. >> i think the very fact that i have chosen to take this risk and appear on cnn from prison should just tell you how dire my situ

. >> reporter: prisoner siamak namazi's brother speaking after their reunion. >> we've been apart forompletely unbelievable. >> reporter: the prisoners first boarded a charter plane in tehran. hours later landed in doha. some of them seen smiling. three of them all dual iranian american citizens sharing an embrace. they walked into the terminal. >> i spoke to them after they landed in doha. i can tell you that it was, for them, for me, an emotional conversation. >> reporter: siamak namazi, who the u.s. says was arrested on false espionage charges writing for almost eight years i have been dreaming of this day. adding he can't wait to get to an apple store. i am dying to find out what gadgets now exist. >> he's missed eight years of his life. he wants to get married and have kids. >> reporter: still the swap is controversial. in addition to the u.s. and iran exchanging five prisoners, the biden administration unlocking $6 billion in iranian money frozen by u.s. sanctions and the white house says iran can only use it for things like food and medicine with the u.s. officials approaching

siamak namazi, who the u.s. says was arrested on false espionage charges, saying in a statement, "for almost eight years i have been dreaming of this day. adding he can't wait to get to an apple store. "i am dying to find out what gadgets now exist. tonight the biden administration downplaying whether the release could lead to better relations with one of america's most bitter enemies, even slapping new sanctions today on tehran >> we continue to be determined to take whatever step is necessary to deal with actions by iran. >> reporter: the prisoner swap is controversial. the u.s. and iran both exchanging five prisoners. but the biden administration going further. additionally unlocking $6 billion in iranian oil money, frozen by u.s. sanctions the white house says iran can only use the money for things like food and medicine, with u.s. officials approving each transaction. but iran's president telling lester last week iran will spend the money on whatever it wants >> do you believe you have the right to use that

. >> reporter: for 51-year-old businessman siamak namazi, it's the end of an eight-year ordeal according to his attorney jared genser. >> he's missed eight years of the best of his life. he wants to get married and have kids. he has to figure out where he's going to live and get a job. he has to rebuild his life. >> reporter: it's the same year emad shargi was first arrested and held without trial in iran's notorious prison what is considered trumped up espionage charges. in return five were granted clemency. two will remain in the u.s., two others will be returned to iran. critics worry now as part of the deal iranians will have access to $6 billion held in a restricted account in qatar. >> these monies can be used to support terrorist organizations and adventuresome actions of iran. >> repororter: the b biden adadministratition insiststs th treasury can prevent that misuse and only permit humanitarian purchases like food and medicine. >> the funds were moved to another bank where we have absolute oversight of how they're used, and we have absolute confidence in the process and the syst

natalie brand has the latest from washington. [ cheers ] >> reporter: siamak namazi first off the plane to a step toward freedom, closed his eyes, and drew in a breath. he was one of five americans incarcerated for years in iran on unsubstantiated charges of spying. his family was waiting with open arms on the tarmac. >> real hero of this story surviving eight years of brutal treatment but never losing hope. >> freedom! >> reporter: the former prisoners and their families snapped a group photo before heading off for medical examinations. they include two businessmen, an environmentalist, and a former u.n. worker. in exchange for the release, president biden granted five iranian nanationals clememency, the regimeme will have a access nearly $6 billion of unfrozen iranian oil assets held in a restricted account in qatar. that move has drawn criticism from some lawmakers on capitol hill including senator marco rubio, the top republican on the senate intelligence committee. >> and now elements all over the world realize we can get something in exchange for americans. let's take something. >

emad sharghi, morad tahbaz and siamak namazi with two other people unnamed are all heading to washington, d.c. to unite with family. >> these americans are now free after having endured something i think most of us can't possibly imagine. >> reporter: the biden administration agreed to a deal in august clearing $6 billion in frozen iranian oil funds and transferring the money from south korea to switzerland and then to a bank in qatar. officials insist there are guardrails on how the money can be used and won't be accessible to support terrorism or iran's nuclear program. >> president biden's been very clear that one way or another he's committed to insuring iran never acquire nuclear weapons. >> reporter: though the biden administration reiterated the money will be severely restricted, some lawmakers on capitol hill say they're concerned that any financial relief will incentivize future hostage taking. >> $6 billion of released funds will only make it far more expensive for every single american whose traveling abroad. it's a bad decision, although we do thank god those folks are coming

. >> reporter: three of the americans, oil executive siamak namazi, held for eight years, conservationistorad tahbaz, and businessman emad shargi were accused of espionage, which they vehemently deny. the fourth and fifth americans wish to remain anonymous. in exchange for their freedom, the biden administration granting clemency to five iranians held in the u.s. and agreeing to unfreeze $6 billion in iranian oil revenues that had been held up by u.s. sanctions. the biden administration adamant that this is not american money and that iran has agreed to only use the funds for humanitarian purposes. >> this involved the access by iran to its own money. >> reporter: but top republicans say any deal with iran is dangerous. >> unfortunately, the deal that secured their release may very well be the latest example of president biden rewarding and incentivizing tehran's bad behavior. >> reporter: president biden today defending the negotiation, saying it ended years of agony, uncertainty and suffering, adding, reuniting wrongfully detained americans with their loved ones has been a priority for

. >> reporter: siamak namazi was reunited with his brother after nearly eight years behind bars. >> i'm. you feel like it's a dream. the nightmare is finally over. >> reporter: volodymyr zelenskyy knows he needs to convince u.s. leaders in congress that ukraine is spending u.s. dollars wisely. just yesterday, he fired all six of his deputy defense ministers as he continues to work to root out corruption in a department that is suddenly flush with foreign cash. norah. >> that corruption will be a story. nancy cordes, thank you. >>> well, now to shocking new details about that new york city day care that the department of justice says was operating as a drug ring. tonight there are new federal charges against the owner of the center along with a man who was renting a room inside. authorities say the pair was using the business as a front to hide their true operation, a fentanyl drug mill. cbs's jessica moore has the new details. >> every new yorker should be outraged. >> reporter: investigators say they recovered this kilogram of fentanyl, enough to kill 500,000 adults, and two kilo press

. >> reporter: three of the americans, oil executive siamak namazi held for eight years, conservationist morad tahbaz, and businessman emad shargi, were accused of espionage, which they vehemently deny. the fourth and fifth americans wish to remain anonymous. earlier this year, in an interview with cnn from behind bars, namazi appealing directly to president biden. >> i keep getting told that i might be rescued, and deals fall apart where i get left abandoned. honestly, the other hostages and i desperately need president biden to finally hear us, to finally hear our cry for help, and bring us home. >> reporter: today, after 2,898 days in captivity, he thanked the president, saying in a statement he looks forward to getting re-acquainted with liberty, saying, "i want to lay back on the grass with the warm sun on my face and gaze up at the open blue skies." in exchange for their freedom, the biden administration granting clemency to five iranians held in the u.s. and agreeing to unfreeze $6 billion in iranian oil revenues that had been held up by u.s. sanctions. the biden administration ad

. >> reporter: for 51-year-old businessman siamak namazi it's an eight-year deal to the attorney. >> best years of his life. eight years, wants to be married and have kids, yes to figure out what he is going to do for a living in a job and how does he rebuild his life. >> reporter: iran detained journalist, when first arrested and held without trial at the evan prison on what the u.s. considers trumped up espionage charges, five iranian nationals were granted clemency. two returned to iran today. critics of the diplomacy saved the regime will now as part of the deal have access to $6 billion worth of unfrozen iranian oil access, held in qatar. >> this can be used to support terrorist organizations, a and adadventurouss and actions of i. >> reporter: they insist that the treasury can prevent that misuse and only permit food and medicine. >> the funds were moved to another bank where we have absolute oversight of how they are used and absolute confidence in the process in the system that has been set up. >> reporter: another concern is that releasing funds incentivizes hostage taking b

. >> reporter: for 51-year-old businessman siamak namazi, it is the end to an eight year ordeal according has missed some of the best years in his life. he wants to get married and have kids. he wants to figure out what he has to do for a living. and how does he rebuild his life. >> reporter: iranian detained environmentalist, the same year emad shargi was arrested and held without trial. in the notorious ebon prison on what u.s. considers trumped up charges. five iranian nationals were dedelivered clemency. two remain in the u.s., two returning to iran today. and the regime will now as part of the deal have access to $6 billion of unfrozen iranian oil access held in qatar. >> this can be used to support terrorist organizations and other actions of iran. >> reporter: the biden administration insists that they can withhold that misuse. and itit will onlyly be used f r food and medicine. >> they are moved to another bank where we have absolute oversight of how they are used. and we have absolute confidence in the system that has been set up. >> reporter: another concern is that releasing fu

three of the americans -- oil executive siamak namazi held since 2015, conservationist morad tahbaz, and businessman emad shargi, were accused of espionage -- which they vehemently deny. the fourth and fifth americans want to remain anonymous. all five were transferred from prison to house arrest in tehran while the agreement between the u.s. and iran was finalized. >> my belief is that this is the beginning of the end of their nightmare, and the nightmare that their families have experienced. >> reporter: under the deal, iran can only use the $6 billion for humanitarian purposes. but critics say iran shouldn't have access to this money at all. now, officials here insist there are a lot of checks in place on how iran can spend this $6 billion. the u.s. treasury, we are told, will have eyes on these transactions, and veto power. and david, tonight, we're told these five americans could be coming home as soon as next week. david? >> david: all right, mary bruce live at the white house. mary, thank you. >>> next tonight here, north korea's dictator kim jong-un is on his way to russia no

siamak namazi was reunited with his brother after nearly eight years behind bars. >> it just makes youhtmare is finally over. >> reporter: volodymyr zelenskyy knows he needs to convince u.s. leaders in congress that ukraine is spending u.s. dollars wisely. just yesterday he fired all six of his deputy defense ministers as he continues to root out corruption in an department that is suddenly flush with foreign cash. norah. >> norah: that's corruption will be the story. nancy cordes, thank you. now to shocking new details about that new york city day care that the department of justice says was operating as a drug ring. tonight there are new federal charges against the owner of the center along with a man who was renting a room inside. authorities say that the pair was using the business as a front to hide their true operation, a fentanyl drug mill. cbs's jessica moore has the new details. >> every new yorker should be outraged. >> reporter: investigators say they recovered this kilogram of fentanyl, enough to kill 500,000 adults and 2-kilo presses use to package large quantities of drug

business trip in iran and was later convicted on spying charges and sentenced to ten years injail, siamak namazie in 2018 when he was first detained. before then, he was arrested two years later, also on espionage charges. and there is also morad tahbaz. he is a british—american conservationist. he was arrested five years ago. he also received a ten year sentence. the fourth and the fifth american who also holds a iranian passport have not been revealed. the names of the five iranians prisons in the united states, not all of whom are expected to return to iran today, have been released by the iranian mission in new york. so this is an extraordinary moment, especially a rare moment of cooperation between iran and the united states, who do not have diplomatic ties. this complex deal was negotiated over nearly a year by the qatari officials, shuttling between american and iranian delegations in two separate hotels here in the qatari capital. and the end of their efforts will be seen today. lyse doucet, our — efforts will be seen today. lyse doucet, our chief _ efforts will be seen today. lyse douce

one of the five, siamak namazi, who spent almost eight years in an iran prison, sharing in a statementwould not be free today if it wasn't for all of you who didn't allow the world to forget me. and he thanked the president for, as he put it, ending this nightmare. their release is part of a controversial prisoner exchange between the us and iran. one the president has no higher priority than making sure that americans who are unjustly detained anywhere can come home. the deal calls for the us to release five iranian prisoners, two of which will remain on us soil in exchange for the five americans and it freed up $6 million in iranian funds that were frozen due to sanctions. the whole world has gotten the message take americans hostage. you get billions of dollars. critics of the deal say the us should not pay ransom for its prisoners, but advocates believe it's a fair exchange. the us is not making a major concession to iran. the us has not paid any money to iran. these are iranian assets. president biden celebrating the americans freedom while also imposing new sanctions on iran for

for the first time in years, siamak namazi and morad tahbaz and emad shargi are the three that we knowe since 2015. and they've been powerful advocates. they met with members of congress, they had rallies in front of the white house, they pushed to meet with president biden. all of these efforts was to push the administration do whatever it takes to bring their loved ones home. that's ultimately what we saw play out with this deal between the u.s. and iran. one of the officials most involved is roger gerson. he was there in doha, he through with them overnight, back to the united states, and he was there for that emotional reunion early this morning. this is what he told cnn about that moment. >> i can say i probably haven't cried this much since i was a little kid. there's a chance to watch five different people, seven people in total, interact in a way that was very amazing. this is the first time they've had a chance to talk without being surveilled by the iranian government in years. to watch them relax, lighten up, share laughs. >> yeah, so roger said this was a really powerful mo

the most high—profile prisoner is siamak namazi.is an iranian businessman who was detained in iran in 2015, when he was in the capital on a business trip. two years later, he was sentenced to ten years in prison on spying charges. he is the longest detained iranian—american prisoner. emad shargi was travelling with his wife in iran in 2018 when he was detained. two years later, he was rearrested. 0n espionage charges. and there is morad tahbaz, a british—american conservationist and environmentalist, he was arrested five years ago. also jailed for ten years. and we understand that the fourth and the fifth prisoner have asked for their identities not to be released to the public. this is a very sensitive deal. the iranian mission in new york released the names of the five iranians who will be freed from american prisoners —— prisons today, there were all convicted of violating us sanctions. the term given for them will be they have been given clemency. this is a very complex and controversial deal, so let's get more details and asses

siamak namazi, emad sharghi and mo mo morad tahbaz and two others who did not want to be identified arrivingand namazi had been wrongfully detained for eight years. and we have more from nic robertson. and nic, the images are beautiful seeing the moments and something that these, some of the families have not really believe was going to ever happen, but what is next? >> yeah, it is amazely heartwarming, isn't it? you cannot but let yourself feel the emotion there, and empathize with them, and understand what they have been through, but of course, we can't understand what they have been through, because we have not been through it, and this is part of the ordeal coming, and first off, looking they will get the medical checks which may take a couple of days, and they will get the medical treatment, and have their families around them, and sort of breathe deeper, and rest easier, but those sleeps in the months ahead at night are not going to be easy, and ki say this, because we have spoken with nasser dean who has spoken to us about at night unpacking all of the terror and the uncertainty that

we saw this process start to move forward about a month ago when four of the americans, siamak namaziose identity we don't know were moved into house arrest in iran. and in the weeks since, we've seen the steps start to be taken, including with the $6 billion in iranian funding. this is going to be moved from those accounts in south korea to qatar and the reason they issued these waivers was to ensure that the banks in europe don't have to fear getting sanctioned. now the administration has come under some scrutiny from lawmakers who are condemning them for making the agreement with the iranian regime. the state department spokesperson matt miller hit back on the criticisms just a few minutes ago. take a listen. >> i do recognize that there are tough choices involved here and the secretary has been forthright about this. the president has been upfront. there are always tough choices involved in bringing home american citizens. but we -- the president and the secretary have decided that their first priority is to bring these american citizens home and that's why agreed to this arrangem

. >> it's becoming more common, siamak namazi referred to that in his statement.the past 40 years the iranian regime has engaged in the nasty game of commercizing their freedom. in the evin prison, the notorious prison where you and others were held is dystopian of hostages. given the fact that this is be ing more common. and the perception is, with evidence, that iran, russia and china take prisoners so that they can set up an exchange like 00 this, get something in return, what is to stop it? what is to stop it? what policy changes are necessary? >> i think you have to look at the motivations for each of the governments that do this. and some of the hostage-takings, even by a government, you know, like iran, whether it's u.s. national, british national, canadian some other european national, they take them for different reasons. you really have to look at the motivations and develop the mechanisms that respond to the motivations. making it costlier than beneficial for them. you're driving up the costs of doing this but targeting the officials involved in what is

morad tahbaz, a wildlife conservationist who also holds british citizenship, and emad shargi and siamak namazioperation is unfolding. we have just been told that the five american prisoners have arrived at tehran tudors airport, it is a two hourflight here to tehran tudors airport, it is a two hour flight here to doha international airport, the old one. it is a deeply controversial deal, highly complex, but also very compassionate. president biden, the us president, has vowed to bring all americans home, including these five americans home, including these five americans who also hold iranians passports which the us describes as one fully detained, but they are widely regarded as hostages, used by iran as bargaining chips. the money which has arrived here in qatar banks this morning, $6 million, iranians money, they through selling oil to south korea. they can't access that directly, only third parties can use it to purchase non—sanctioned goods, including food and medicine. but the disagreements over this money, iran is saying, underlines the distrust which still exists between old enemies, d

the siamak namazi, for example, the longest-held american in iranian captivity.rly eight years in the notorious evin prison. accompanied by his mom back here and processed before they head home to the united states. what do we know about that departure? well, it is any time now. we are told, we have no confirmation agens of yet that y actually have departed doha, talking to the officials they wanted to process them and ensure them on their way and get them on their way, each of the five american, dual citizens, iranian americans simply wants to get home to their friends and their families. so a very, very emotional day. right up in the last minute, right up in the point at which we saw those former hostages on the flight. it was really touch and go. after all, we never have seen these prisoner swaps in the past. we know that things haven't always gone to plan, so it was really keeping a lid on it today and just hoping that things would come together. the qataris have done really remarkable job in what has been a complex and complicated negotiation. of course, u.s

among them, siamak namazi.ile on a business trip in iran and charged with having relations with a hostile state. after nearly eight years in prison, namazi was iran's longest held american prisoner. feeling abandoned by the u.s. earlier this year, he appealed directly to president biden in an unpress departmented interview with cnn from inside the notorious evan prison. >> honestly, the other hostages and i desperately need president biden to finally hear us out, to finally hear our cry for help and bring us home. >> reporter: also freed, dual iranian american citizens -- arrested while on a trip to iran in 2018. shargi, a businessman who moved with his wife to iran in 2017 was also detained in 2018 on similar charges to that of namazi. for years, their fate tied to tension between the two countries. but with the help of a common friend in qatar, break through diplomacy brought us to this very moment. iran freed the dual citizens in a bid to release five iranians held in u.s. prisons and to unblock $6 billion i

as we saw siamak namazi, emad sharghi, morad tahbaz walking down the steps with two more unidentifiedricans. they will fly from doha to washington, d.c., to be reunited with the families. we have a team of reporters standing by. becky anderson was on the ground in doha as the plane was pulling up. and we have christiane amanpour here and the long road here, and david as well. >> and to me, many march a couple of months ago to rattle the cages if you like, to say, i am here, and the spotlight needs to stay on, and please, president biden, re-up the negotiations and get us out. it is important, and people don't do things, unless they are put in the spotlight, and it is not easy for the government to do deal with iran. it is not easy. you can see what is happening now. they are getting the backlash, but it needs to be understood they are human beings. >> and hold on, because tony blinken is coming on. >> maybe he will say more about it. >> maybe he will. >> and now, the prisoners are out of detention and now en route to doha to the united to be reunited with the families in the united st

this deal toelease these hosta hostages as deribed byhe united states, siamak namazi, emad shargi andahbaz. and two not identified yet. have been mediated by qatar, eight rounds of negotiation and sees the unfreezing of $6 billion of iranian funds. in now, funds that have been restricted in an account in south korea, under the u.s. sanctions policy. ccessfully transferred to nkn accounts in qatar. 's k to this deal, tha the qatarie mediating , that the qataris will be responsible for strictly controlling what the funds are spent on. because under the terms of the deal, the americans have stipulated these fund, the6 billion work of funds, iranian money at the end of the y, but these funds mustspent on nitarian goods, too. and we will know how much that is needed that is needed in iran rese. the deal also including the release of five iranians who are imprisoned ithe united states for sanctions busting. and most all of those prisoners evendmitted to by tehran this morning, actually looking to return to irantwo expected to return here. two expected to stay in the united states. and one e

among them, siamak namazi, he was arrested in 2015 while on a business trip to iran.nd charged with having relations with a hostile state. after nearly eight years in prison, namazi was iran's longest held american prisoner, feeling abandoned by the u.s. earlier this year he appealed directly to president biden in an unprecedented interview with cnn from inside the notorious evin prison. >> honestly, the other hostages and i desperately need president biden to finally hear us out, to finally hear our cry for help and bring us home. >> reporter: also freed, duel iranian-american citizens, marad tahbaz. tahbaz was arrested on a trip to iran in 2018. shagi, who moved with his wife in tweft was also detained in 2018, on similar charges to that of namazi. their fate tied to tensions between the two countries, but with the help of a common friend in qatar, breakthrough diplomacy brought us to this very moment. iran freed the duel citizens in a deal to release five iranians held in u.s. prisons. and two unblock $6 billion in frozen iranian funds from south korea. that cash m

three of the prisoners released by iran have been identified publicly -- siamak namazi, who had beenined since 2015, morad tahbaz, an environmentalist jailed since 2018, and emad shargi, who was also arrested in 2018. the names of the other two have not been publicly released. the five prisoners flew on monday from tehran to qatar. they were joined by two other americans who had been barred from leaving iran. secretary of state tony blinken praised the deal. >> just a few minutes ago, i had the great pleasure of speaking to seven americans who are now free. free from their imprisonment or detention in iran, out of iran, out of prison, and now in do ha on the way back to the united states to be reunited with their loved ones. five of the seven had been imprisoned in iran, some for years, two others prevented from leaving iran. i spoke to them after they landed in doha. i can tell you it was for them, for me and emotional conversation. it is easy and the work we do every day sometimes to get lost in the distractions of foreign policy and relations with other countries and forgetting th

wrongful detention in iran. [ cheers and applause ] the man you see there descending those stairs is siamak namazig his first breath on u.s. soil for the first time in eight years. he and four others embraced their loved ones on the tarmac outside of washington as one of the americans was overheard telling his wife and two daughters, quote, we're home. over the last two years, we counted 30 americans have been freed, including wnba star brittney griner, who of course, as we all remember, was released last december after nearly ten months in russian captivity. and also trevor reed, a marine veteran who was freed in april of last year after being wrongfully detained for nearly three years in russia. and trevor reed joins me now, of course, as the only, you know, best perspective that only very few people do. trevor, i know you believe that the criticism that we've heard over the terms of this deal, the unfreezing of the $6 billion in iranian revenue, is unwarranted. of course, it is also important to note this was not u.s. taxpayer money. but i want to listen, for those who haven't heard, what repub

morad tahbaz, charlotte alter, siamak namazi, and two americans who decided not to be named.ed moments ago after flying from tehran to qatar. they were released as part of a deal that includes unfreezing of $6 billion in iranian funds. they will have the option to participate in a department of defense program to help acclimate back to life here. >> a moscow court is hearing an appeal from lawyers representing detained "wall street journal" rurm report rep reporter evan gershkovich. >> is you get any response? >> yeah, tried to speak to him, but failed, unfortunately. i am outside the court now because we were kicked out, essentially. this is one of the few opportunities we get to get face to face with evan gershkovich. 31-year-old "wall street journal" reporter being held on espionage charges. the first journalist to be charged with something like that since the cold war. it's a massive problem between the two countries. we were granted access to the courtroom where his lawyers are repealing his pretrial detention but shortly afterwards we were, you know, kicked out. take a

it's a moment one of them, siamak namazi, could only dream of while he spent nearly eight years in an iran prison. in a statement, he says he's excited to get to know his niece and nephew, be outside in nature and visit the apple store to check out the latest iphone. thank you. we take it for granted having our family together. his return is part of a controversial prisoner swap between the us and iran. five iranian prisoners were released for the five americans and the us government gave iran access to $6 billion in iranian money. that was frozen due to sanctions. an administration has never paid this much before to get american hostages home. critics of the deal say it encourages us adversaries to take more hostages. and we're certainly not going to turn a blind eye to the potential for additional hostage taking. meanwhile, the president of iran is in new york to speak at the united nations general assembly . his speech comes just days after a un watchdog agency criticized the middle east country for banning a large number of its inspectors from monitoring their nuclear program. fol

of those americans who had been imprisoned in iran for five-plus years, and another american, siamak namazigone for eight years. many have not spoken to their family or friends in over five years, as long as eight years. this was an emotional homecoming for them landing on u.s. soil after so much time in iranian captivity. now the president's special envoy for hostage affairs, roger c carstens who we just heard from, we urged them to take advantage of the support programs to better allow these americans to reintegrate into society because of course, they have been isolated and in detention for just so long, but he also said that he really encourages them to keep working along with u.s. officials, of course, for the release of american hostages globally, and that he knows that they won't forget about them. in the backdrop of all of this, of course, there have been a lot of questions about what this means for the broader u.s./iranian relationship. does this kind of reopen negotiations between the countries when it comes to other issues like the iran nuclear deal for example? white house offic