Gold has seen a third day of gains, nearing $4,095 an ounce, fueled by optimism surrounding an interim agreement to normalize commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This progress has assuaged inflation worries and consequently lowered expectations for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. Both US and Iranian officials have indicated advancements in the talks.

The precious metal climbed 0.8% in the first two sessions of the week. Qatar announced that a proposal had been drafted to facilitate the reopening of the vital shipping lane. This development has also contributed to the stabilization of crude oil prices.

While geopolitical tensions often support gold as a safe-haven asset, the current environment is unique. The potential reopening of Hormuz eases supply chain concerns and inflationary pressures, leading to a diminished need for aggressive monetary tightening. This dynamic has provided a strong tailwind for gold prices.