Signs of possible escalation in the Middle East pushed oil higher and threaten restoration of regional energy supplies. A US official said the Pentagon may deploy an aircraft carrier plus about 10,000 sailors and marines to the Persian Gulf, restoring the number of carrier strike groups focused on Iran to levels last seen in late February at the start of the conflict. Vantage Global Markets senior analyst Hebe Chen said gold's opening looked calm beneath the surface; US disinflation, reduced odd

Signs of possible escalation in the Middle East pushed oil higher and threaten restoration of regional energy supplies. A US official said the Pentagon may deploy an aircraft carrier plus about 10,000 sailors and marines to the Persian Gulf, restoring the number of carrier strike groups focused on Iran to levels last seen in late February at the start of the conflict. Vantage Global Markets senior analyst Hebe Chen said gold's opening looked calm beneath the surface; US disinflation, reduced odds of an October rate hike and retreating oil have given gold some respite, but elevated US Treasury yields and a firm dollar keep prices around $4,100.