PRECIOUS-Gold slips as dollar firms, markets await Iran response

By Brijesh Patel

June 23 (Reuters) - Gold prices edged lower on Monday as investors favoured the dollar following the U.S. attack on key Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, with markets closely watching for Iran's response.

Spot gold XAU= was down 0.4% at $3,355.40 an ounce, as of 0735 GMT. U.S. gold futures GCcv1 fell 0.5% to $3,370.30.

"The U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities resulted in the dollar receiving safe haven buying flows in the currency market," KCM Trade Chief Market Analyst Tim Waterer said.

"This USD uptick had pegged gold back and caused an uncharacteristically subdued performance from the precious metal despite risks stemming from the conflict."

The dollar rose .DXY rose 0.3% against its rivals, making gold more expensive for other currency holders. USD/

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday raised the question of a regime change in Iran following U.S. strikes against key military sites over the weekend, as senior officials in his administration warned Tehran against retaliation.

Iran vowed to defend itself a day after the U.S. dropped 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs onto the mountain above Iran's Fordow nuclear site.

Meanwhile, Iran and Israel continued to trade volleys of missile attacks. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli fighter jets had struck military targets in western Iran.

Shares slipped in Asia on Monday and oil prices briefly hit five-month highs, but there were no signs of panic selling across markets. MKTS/GLOB O/R

The Federal Reserve's latest monetary policy report to Congress, released on Friday, said U.S. inflation remained somewhat elevated and the labor market was solid.

On the technical front, spot gold XAU= may retest support at $3,348 per ounce, a break below could open the way toward $3,324, according to Reuters technical analyst Wang Tao. TECH/C

Elsewhere, spot silver XAG= rose 0.3% to $36.10 per ounce, platinum XPT= rose 0.2% at $1,267.76, while palladium XPD= gained 1.4% to $1,059.20.