Gold price fell on Friday after a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer amid inflation concerns fuelled by the war in the Middle East. Spot gold was down 1.6 per cent at $4,402.44 per ounce, having fallen about 2.9 per cent this week so far. U.S. gold ‌futures for ⁠August delivery ⁠fell 0.3 per cent to $4,491.80.Nonfarm payrolls increased by 172,000 jobs in May after rising by an upwardly revised ​179,000 in April, the U.S. Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics said in its report. ​A Reuters poll had forecast a gain of 85,000 jobs after a previously reported rise of 115,000 in April."We've got payrolls that came in fairly significantly over ​what was expected," said Bart Melek, global head ⁠of commodity ‌strategy at TD Securities."In light of the fact that we ​continue to have ​the war in Iran and very large energy prices and ⁠inflationary pressures, it makes it quite unlikely that the ​Fed is in any mood whatsoever to lower rates. The ​implication for gold here is that the cost of carry is getting quite high," Melek said.U.S. Treasury yields jumped after the release of the jobs data, increasing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.The price of Brent crude oil was on track for a weekly gain. Bullion has fallen more than 16 per cent since the ‌U.S.-backed war with Iran began in late February. The conflict has led to a surge in oil prices and stoked fears ​of inflation and ​higher interest rates.Although gold ⁠is seen as an inflation hedge, higher rates tend to weigh on the metal. Markets are currently pricing about a 68 per cent chance of a Fed rate hike ​in December, according to CME Group's FedWatch tool, compared to about 50 per cent before the jobs data.Gold demand was subdued in India this week, while premiums in China eased.Spot silver fell 3.9 per cent to $70.87 per ounce, platinum dropped 1.8 per cent to $1,865.30, and palladium slid 1.2 per cent to $1,304.95. All three metals were headed for a weekly loss.