Gold has declined for four consecutive sessions, reaching a three-week low near $4,327 per ounce and losing approximately 6% this week. Spot gold is trading around $4,327, while futures fell 0.5% to settle at $4,373. A stronger U.S. dollar, rising Treasury yields and hawkish comments from Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh and Fed Governor Michael Barr have increased pressure on the metal. CME’s FedWatch tool shows traders assigning a 70% probability to a rate increase at the Federal Open Market Committee meeting on September 15-16. U.S. military operations targeting Iran have pushed oil prices higher and added to inflation concerns, potentially making it harder for the Federal Reserve to lower rates. Gold has also fallen below its 200-day moving average (long-term price trend indicator). Sucden Financial strategists said Friday’s U.S. nonfarm payrolls report will probably influence gold’s near-term direction, with weaker employment potentially attracting bargain hunters and strong job growth possibly lifting yields further.