As of June 25, Korean time, international gold prices are on the rise, holding firm above the $4,000 mark. Amid persisting geopolitical uncertainty, market attention has once again turned to the Middle East situation.

■ International Gold Price... $4,070.80 per Ounce, Up 0.51%

As of June 25, Korean time, the international gold price based on GC (COMEX, New York) stood at $4,070.80 per ounce, up 0.51% from the previous trading day. Whether gold prices will continue to defend the $4,000 level going forward is cited as a key point of market focus.

■ Domestic Gold Price Trends

On the same day, domestic gold prices showed slight differences across exchanges. According to the Korea Gold Exchange, the selling price (when buying) for pure gold (99.99%) 3.75g was 834,000 won, while the buying price (when selling) was 702,000 won. Based on GumSesang.com, the buying price was 828,000 won and the selling price was 718,000 won.

■ Middle East Situation as a Variable... Trump on Iran: 'Dialogue First, but Military Option Not Ruled Out'

On June 24 (local time), U.S. Central Command did not release an announcement regarding the recent series of potential airstrikes on Iran, raising speculation about a possible shift in military operational posture. However, the U.S. military stated it carried out an operation to intercept an Iranian oil tanker attempting to pass through a maritime blockade near the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman.

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his willingness to pursue a diplomatic resolution regarding the Iran issue, while not ruling out the possibility of military action. He stated that he is currently engaged in dialogue with Iran and prioritizes negotiations, while also signaling that a swift military response would not be ruled out if an agreement falls through.

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