Australia joined a United Kingdom-led joint statement on the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, becoming one of the latest United States allies to sign on after countries, including Canada, Japan, and New Zealand.

However, a survey showed that Australians want no part in the conflict, and experts suggest that United Nations mechanisms would play a bigger role in halting the military action.

According to an updated news release on the UK government's website on Saturday, 22 participating countries have expressed their readiness to "contribute to appropriate efforts" to ensure safe passage through the strait. They also welcomed the commitment of nations "engaging in preparatory planning".

"We express our deep concern about the escalating conflict. We call on Iran to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the strait to commercial shipping, and to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817," the statement said.

John Queripel, an Australian social commentator and historian, said the wording of the statement to secure the opening of the strait is "rather nebulous and noncommittal".

"By such wording these nations are trying to keep in the 'good books' of (US President) Donald Trump, while making no real commitment to forcing open the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

He said the US has long been aware of Iran's capacity to close the strait and has maintained a naval presence in the region, but is now seeking support from other countries after being unable to reopen it on its own.

"Despite the catastrophic effect the closure is having on the world economy, those US pleas have only been met with a lukewarm response," Queripel said.

"The lack of US unilateral action, and the poor response of US allies to the request, clearly demonstrate the viselike grip that Iran is exerting upon the strait."

Meanwhile, Australians are reluctant to see their country take part in the escalating Middle East conflict initiated by the US and Israel, with greater concern focused on the economic pressures it may bring to everyday life.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, a recent survey by the Resolve Political Monitor for the newspaper found that 61 percent of Australians favored "staying out of the situation entirely", with just 13 percent wanting to be involved.

Australia was among the first countries to voice support for Washington's military action against Iran, following the start of joint US-Israeli attacks on Feb 28.

However, the survey showed that 35 percent of Australians opposed the government voicing support for the attack, and 48 percent opposed offering military support to the US in Iran. Opposition exceeded support in both cases.

Most Australians are more concerned about the conflict's direct economic impact on their daily lives. The survey found that as many as 85 percent of respondents are concerned about the impact of the conflict on the cost of living in Australia.

"The major touchpoint for most Australians is the price they're paying for fuel, and how that's going to knock on to grocery prices. This is the symptom they're looking to government and businesses to cure," Resolve's founder Jim Reed said, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald on March 18.

Queripel, the social commentator, said the current situation in the Middle East will have ripple effects on the region and the world.

"Regional security in the Asia-Pacific region is already receiving a shake-up. Many Asian nations are highly dependent on oil imports to power their economies. Japan and South Korea, particularly, are susceptible to supplies being cut," he said.

"Globally, the economic hit will be enormous, increasing the longer the war continues. With oil slowed or even halted, prices of all consumer goods, including essentials, will balloon," he added.

The international community needs to speak with one voice in calling for this clearly illegal, aggressive conflict waged by the US and Israel to cease, he said.

Queripel said the issue could be addressed through resolutions by the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, which could place political pressure on the US and encourage it to withdraw.