Gold prices retreated on Monday as a strengthening dollar and persistent inflation anxieties outweighed the cautious optimism surrounding a new diplomatic overture from Tehran. Futures for the precious metal on the Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) slipped 0.15% to 1,51,119 rupees per 10 grams in morning trade, while silver followed suit, declining 0.08%. The dip comes as investors weigh a complex geopolitical backdrop against the Federal Reserve’s “higher-for-longer” interest rate stance, which continues to bolster the greenback.

The primary catalyst for market volatility remains the dual blockade in the Persian Gulf. While crude oil prices eased slightly on Monday, they remained supported above the $100-per-barrel mark.

The slight cooling in energy markets followed a series of posts from President Donald Trump, who announced that the U.S. Navy would begin “Project Freedom”—a humanitarian operation to escort nearly 900 commercial vessels currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

For gold investors, the tug-of-war between safe-haven demand and a hawkish dollar is reaching a fever pitch. While the conflict in the Middle East provides a floor for bullion prices, the inflationary pressure of $100-plus oil is keeping the U.S. Federal Reserve on the offensive.