The US is still looking for allies in its efforts to defend freedom of navigation in and around the Middle East Gulf, as Iran takes steps to enrich uranium in violation of a 2015 trade deal.
Japan is reportedly considering joining the International Maritime Security Construct, alongside the US, UK, Bahrain and Australia, with US officials discussing coordination with France over the weekend.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Japan is considering sending a self-defence force destroyer to aid the cause, while Reuters reported that US Defence Secretary Mark Esper met with French officials Saturday.
"We recognise that France has an interest in participating in freedom of navigation, bringing freedom of navigation capabilities to the Gulf and we will be looking to find ways to harness and use that interest to better coordinate with our own initiative," a "senior US defence official" told reporters.
France previously declined to join, preferring a European-led effort.
Germany and India have both publicly declined, as well.
The Yomiuri Shimbun report said a decision would be made later this month.
Last week, Iran announced it would begin lifting all restrictions on enriching uranium, previously capped as part of a 2015 deal that would see sanctions against the Islamic republic lifted in an effort to get European countries to reconsider the terms.
The US and other world powers had initially brokered the deal under the Barack Obama administration, but in May 2018, President Donald Trump announced he was pulling out of the deal.
The return of sanctions on Iran has hurt the country's economy and is largely considered the impetus for attacks on tankers in May and June that ultimately lead to ltanker seizures in July and August.
After the spring attacks, the US floated the idea for the coalition, which would protect ships carrying significant amounts of oil each day.
The coalition, according to US officials, would see the US primarily providing intelligence, while "80 or 90 percent" of the operation would be the responsibility of other members.
