Gold (XAUUSD:CUR) ticked higher on Tuesday on hopes of Middle East de-escalation but headed for its worst month in 17 years as higher energy costs dampened U.S. rate cut expectations. Spot gold was up about 1% to $4,557.62 per ounce but down 14% this month. Silver (XAGUSD:CUR) advanced 3% to $72.22 but slipped 23% so far this month. Trump told aides that he is willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed and leave a complex operation to reopen it for a later ​date, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.