Washington (CNN) President Donald Trump painted an optimistic view of the prospects for diplomacy with Iran on Tuesday after his top diplomat suggested Tehran was willing to discuss their ballistic missile program but it remains unclear how Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came to that conclusion.

State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus couldn't clarify what Pompeo's comments were based on, saying, "I think he was responding" to a media report that Iran subsequently appeared to reject.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said "a lot of progress" has been made and Pompeo claimed Iran is open to negotiations over its ballistic missile program.

"For the first time, the Iranians have said that they're prepared to negotiate about their missile program," Pompeo said, adding the news came within the past several days. "We'll have this opportunity to negotiate a deal that will actually prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon."

Trump echoed that outlook, saying the US wants to help Iran and not oust its current leadership.

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