July 20 (Reuters) - Gold prices fell on Monday as escalating conflict in the Middle East pushed Brent crude above $90 a barrel, raising concerns about inflation, while several U.S. central bank policymakers indicated that raising interest rates may be necessary to curb price pressures.

Gold prices fell 0.4 percent to $4,000.55 an ounce by 00:58 GMT in spot trading, after hitting a two-week low on Friday and losing 2.5 percent over the week. U.S. gold futures for August delivery also declined 0.3 percent to $4,005.90.

Asian markets fluctuated on Monday at the start of a week packed with earnings announcements from major technology companies, which will be an additional test of investor confidence in the momentum of artificial intelligence.

Oil prices jumped three percent, with Brent crude exceeding $90 a barrel.

The United States announced that it had completed its ninth consecutive wave of attacks against Iran after earlier announcing the killing of at least two American soldiers in Jordan, while US allies in the region reported further Iranian attacks on Sunday.

As for other precious metals, silver rose 0.9 percent to $56.42 an ounce in spot trading, platinum gained 0.1 percent to $1,592.97, and palladium climbed 0.3 percent to $1,251.74.