Oil is jumping after Trump tells Russia to 'get ready' for military action in Syria

• US President Trump told Russia to "get ready" for military action in Syria in a tweet on Wednesday.
• Both Brent and WTI oil spiked on the news amid fears about what this could mean for supply.

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LONDON - Oil prices spiked Wednesday after US President Donald Trump hinted at possible military engagement with Russia in Syria.

Trump tweeted at around 7.00 a.m. ET (12.00 a.m. GMT): "Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and "smart!" You shouldn't be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!"

Trump followed this up about 40 minutes later saying the US's relationship is "worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War."

The two tweets sent the price of West Texas Intermediate oil spiking by around a percent to $66.20 at 7.30 a.m. ET (12.30 p.m. GMT). The global benchmark, Brent oil, also spiked.

Fawad Razaqzada, a technical analyst at FOREX.com, said in an email shortly after Trump's tweet: "Fears that the supply of crude could be interrupted as a result is the main reason behind the oil price rally.

"Oil prices have been further supported by the OPEC's reduced output. However, with US oil production set to rise further in the coming months, the global oil market will likely remain amply supplied in the long-term.

"We, therefore, think that oil prices will struggle to rise significantly further, although in the short-term price spikes are possible given the heightened possibility of military action in Syria. The fact that both Brent and WTI are testing or approaching their previous 2018 highs means there is also the possibility of at least a short-term breakout as resting buy stop orders are tripped."

Trump's escalation of tensions with Russia comes after a suspected chemical weapons attack carried out by Syria's Bashar al-Assad against his own people last week. Russia is allied with Assad and has sort to warn the US off any action in response to the attack.

Get the latest Oil WTI price here.