Gold rises as safe-haven appeal boosted by Israel's attack on Iran

A worker polishes gold bullion bars in Australia. — AFP

GOLD prices jumped on Friday as reports that Israel had attacked Iran prompted fears of a wider regional conflict, increasing bullion's safe-haven appeal.

Spot gold rose 0.4% at $2,388.32 per ounce, as of 0726 GMT, after briefly jumping as high as $2,417.59 earlier in the session. Prices hit an all-time high of $2,431.29 hit last week. Bullion was set for a fifth straight weekly rise.