Oil prices were mixed in Asian trade today after climbing in New York as concerns over a US-led military strike on Syria returned.
New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate crude for delivery in October, eased 26 cents to $108.28 in mid-morning trade, while Brent North Sea crude for October delivery gained 12 cents to $115.80.
Market jitters over Syria resurfaced after Republican House Speaker John Boehner and his right hand man Eric Cantor said that they would support a strike against the Assad regime over its alleged use of chemical weapons.
The move was a rare gesture of unity in a divided Congress and left US President Barack Obama hopeful of securing a vote for action from lawmakers next week.
Investors fear US intervention could lead to a wider conflict in the politically volatile West Asia, a key source of the world’s crude oil supplies.
Oil prices have tumbled from multi-month highs after Obama said that he would seek approval from Congress for military action. The prices had soared on speculation of imminent US strikes.