Gold prices fall as tensions between the US and Iran escalate.

- Gold prices fell to their lowest level in nearly a week on Wednesday, as U.S. strikes on Iran boosted oil prices and the dollar, raising concerns that inflation will keep interest rates high for longer and put pressure on the non-yielding precious metal.

Spot gold fell 0.1 percent to $4,100.32 an ounce by 01:07 GMT, after earlier hitting its lowest level since July 2. U.S. gold futures for August delivery dropped 1.1 percent to $4,112.50.

The US military launched a new wave of attacks on Iran on Tuesday, and Washington revoked a license that allowed the Islamic Republic to sell oil after three tankers were attacked with missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, further straining an already fragile ceasefire.

US oil prices jumped by about three percent in early trading, continuing gains from the previous session, while the dollar held near its highest levels this week against most other currencies.

The CME Group’s FedWatch tool showed that markets now expect a probability of more than 67 percent that the Federal Reserve (the US central bank) will raise interest rates in September, compared with about 57 percent on Tuesday.

Investors are also awaiting the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting held on June 16 and 17, which will be released later on Wednesday, looking for new clues about the path of interest rates under the new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh.