Gold prices saw a slight increase during early Asian trading hours as the Middle East conflict continues. Spot gold rose 0.3% to $5,095.14 per ounce. Media reports citing informed sources indicated that Israeli officials currently assess that Iran's ruling regime is unlikely to collapse in the short term, as Tehran's beleaguered leaders still maintain control of the situation. Antonio Di Giacomo, a Senior Market Analyst at XS.com, stated in an email, "The geopolitical environment continues to provide some support for the gold market." The senior analyst added, "Tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict between Iran and Western powers, continue to fuel risk-aversion sentiment in financial markets."