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Gold Smashes $3,400—Will Middle East Chaos Push It Higher?

Gold rockets to $3,425 as Israel’s Iran strikes ignite a safe-haven frenzy, with Fed rate cut bets adding fuel.

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By Yael Cohen

2 min read

Gold Smashes $3,400—Will Middle East Chaos Push It Higher?

June 13, 2025, Global Markets Desk— Gold prices vaulted to a five-month peak of $3,425 on June 13, 2025, climbing 1.15% in Asian trading, as Israel’s preemptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities caused volatility in markets. Netanyahu’s promise to continue operations “for many days” to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions has investors flocking to the yellow metal, a timeless refuge in times of crisis.

“Gold’s up for the second straight day, largely on heightened geopolitical risks,” said Peter Grant, senior metals strategist at Zaner Metals.

Israel-Iran Standoff Ignites Panic

Late Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a “preemptive strike” against Iran, declaring a state of emergency as the nation braces for retaliation. Netanyahu's direct warning that the failure to neutralize Iran's nuclear threat could spark a regional arms race has unnerved markets.

Iran’s armed forces promised a “heavy price” for Israel and the U.S., stoking fears of an all-out conflict. Analysts are focusing on $3,450 as the next resistance level for gold, which is thriving in this chaos.

Fed Rate Cuts Pour Gas on the Rally

Softer-than-expected U.S. Producer Price Index data has turbocharged gold’s ascent by boosting bets on Federal Reserve rate cuts. Traders now expect a 25-basis-point cut in September, with another likely in October, a shift from earlier projections of a December move.

A weaker dollar, courtesy of these dovish signals, makes gold cheaper for global buyers, amplifying demand. “If gold clears $3,400 again, a breakout to new all-time highs looks likely,” Grant added.

Risks and Rewards in the Gold Game

Gold’s rally isn’t without hurdles. A potential de-escalation in the Middle East could sap safe-haven demand, sending prices tumbling, as seen in November 2024, when a rumored Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire triggered a 3% drop.

Yet, central banks’ voracious gold buying—1,136 tonnes in 2022 alone—provides a sturdy price floor. With Iran’s retaliation looming and U.S. economic data in focus, gold’s path hinges on the next moves in this high-stakes global chess match.

What’s Next for the Safe-Haven King?

Gold's allure is stronger than ever as Israel and Iran trade threats and the Fed signals a looser policy. Will escalating conflict or monetary easing propel it to uncharted heights, or could a surprise ceasefire cool this red-hot rally?

What’s Driving Gold’s Run—and Where’s It Headed?

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