Nuke Deal Imperiled as Iran Threatens Israel
BLITZER: Following breaking news in the latest U.S. effort to head off a major crisis in the Middle East, yet another one. The secretary of state, John Kerry, is negotiating in person on a deal to stop Iran from producing nuclear weapons. And now just as a deal may be within reach, Iran's top ayatollah unleashed a stream of new threats to annihilate Israel. Let's get the very latest from our global affairs correspondent, Elise Labott. She's here in THE SITUATION ROOM -- Elise.</s>ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, Secretary Kerry just wrapped up ten hours of talks with the Iranian foreign minister. You have that November 24 deadline looming. Officials say there's still time for progress. But the signals coming from Iran, at least publicly, on whether a nuclear deal could present an opening for the U.S. and Iran to work together in the region are not encouraging.</s>LABOTT (voice-over): With the deadline just two weeks away, Secretary of State John Kerry headed to Amman to kick nuclear negotiations into overdrive with Iran's foreign minister, deciding to add a second day of talks Monday. Back home, Vice President Joe Biden, speaking to Jewish leaders, laid out the U.S. red line.</s>JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In Bidenesque way, we will not let Iran acquire a nuclear weapon, period! Period! Period! And I would not put my 42-year reputation on the line, were I not certain when I say it we mean it.</s>LABOTT: In between tweets on Iran's nuclear diplomacy, the country's supreme leader took aim at Israel tweeting, quote, "This barbaric, wolf-like and infanticidal regime of Israel, which spares no crime, has no cure" but to be annihilated."</s>JEN PSAKI, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN: We strongly condemn the hateful remarks made about Israel on Twitter. The remarks are offensive and reprehensible.</s>LABOTT: Vitriolic comments about Israel by Iran's leaders are nothing new. But coming on the heels of news President Obama sent a letter to the supreme leader, its fourth since taking office, it dashes administration hopes a nuclear deal could pave the way for greater cooperation against ISIS and ending Syria's civil war.</s>KARIM SADJADOOUR (PH), CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE: The supreme leader's been in power since 1989. He's expressed this hostility and vitriol towards the United States, towards Israel and he's made it fairly clear that he's not interested in a rapprochement or detente with the United States. But if you're President Obama, you're also not interested in conflict with Iran.</s>LABOTT: After being kept in the dark about the president's letter, diplomats say the overture only deepens Israel's fears President Obama is naive on Iran and will soften the U.S. stance on its nuclear program in exchange for a grander regional bargain with Tehran. he vice president tried to smooth over tensions aggravated over a recent magazine article in which an unnamed Obama administration official called Prime Minister Netanyahu a chicken</s>BIDEN: The security of Israel and the United States is inextricably tied, and we will never, ever, ever abandon Israel out of our own self-interest.</s>LABOTT: Well, State Department officials say they understand that comments like that to annihilate Israel are very concerning, and that's why, Wolf, they say the best thing that they can do is make sure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon. And that's what they're trying to do in these negotiations.</s>BLITZER: They've got a few days left. The deadline is November 24. I think they could extend the deadline if they want to.</s>LABOTT: Right.</s>BLITZER: All right, Elise. Thanks very much. We're also learning new details about a shadowy commander who seems to have engineered several recent victories over ISIS inside Iraq. It turns out that commander is from Iran and is an old foe of the United States. Let's go to Tehran. CNN's Reza Sayah is on the scene for us in the Iranian capital. What are you hearing over there, Reza?</s>REZA SAYAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Wolf, when's the last time an Iranian military leader gave a boost to U.S. military strategy in the Middle East? It's been a while. But the turmoil of this weekend is so entangled sometimes, so confusing and chaotic, that it's happening. Two enemies, the U.S. and Iran, seemingly fighting for the same cause, and an Iranian general playing a critical role over the past several weeks. The Iraqi military troops have managed to push back Islamic state forces in key areas in Iraq. And much of the credit has gone to the Quds Force leader, Qassem Suleimani. A couple of weeks ago, when ISIS troops were opposing a key city in northern Iraq, it was Suleimani who was credited with devising strategy to pushing these groups back. Also, he's credited with pushing back Islamic state troops from villages surrounding Baghdad. CNN has not verified these claims. And he continues to deny they have boots on the ground. But these reports continue to show the increasing role Iran is playing in Iraq. And the acts that alleged of Suleimani, it's a glimpse at what the U.S. can do if it improves relations with Iran. Because Iran has sway in Iraq and Syria. Obviously, Wolf, these two countries have not come out and said, :We're working together." But an Iranian general seemingly helping the U.S. cause in Iraq.</s>BLITZER: It's a strange, strange group of folks out there, this coalition that's being put together against ISIS. Thanks very much, Reza Sayah. One of the few western reporters, certainly the only TV reporter, American TV reporter on the scene in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Reza, thank you. Up next, vehicle attacks, now multiple stabbings, so what's behind the series of assaults that are taking the lives of more Israelis? And behind the secret mission to North Korea, we have some stunning new information.