Gold prices surged over 1% on Monday, reaching a one-month high of ,419, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East following a US and Israeli military strike on Iran. The XAU/USD pair traded at ,341 at the time of reporting, reflecting heightened demand for safe-haven assets amid fears of regional conflict escalation. The attack on Iran's key sites, coupled with rising oil prices, has intensified investor concerns about energy security and global economic stability. The surge in gold highlights its role as a traditional safe-haven during geopolitical crises. Traders are closely monitoring how prolonged Middle East tensions might impact global markets, particularly oil prices and equity indices. A sustained conflict could disrupt energy supplies, leading to inflationary pressures and central bank policy adjustments. Additionally, the interplay between gold and oil markets may create volatility in related commodities and currencies. For investors, the next critical factors to watch include further military actions, diplomatic responses, and OPEC+ decisions on oil production. Central bank gold purchases and US dollar movements will also influence the metal's trajectory. Traders should assess whether this rally represents a short-term spike or a longer-term trend based on geopolitical developments.