Senior British diplomatic sources revealed to a Kuwaiti newspaper that U.S. officials are conducting indirect discussions with terrorist group Hezbollah by receiving information through British negotiations and communications with the group.

Great Britain does not formally identify Hezbollah as a terrorist group and thus can conduct face-to-face meetings with the group.  Because the United States classifies the group as terrorists, U.S. officials cannot meet directly with them.

A diplomatic source in Washington characterized the talks as keeping tabs on the region and the world and preparation for Iran to return to the international community.

Hezbollah is backed by the Iranian government and according to people connected to a meeting last week between Iranian President  Hassan Rouhani and British Prime Minister David Cameron the move by the U.S. is seen as a way to show Washington’s willingness for diplomacy with Tehran.

The U.S. reportedly said through the British they would “warm up to a direct relationship in the future” with Hezbollah.