PRECIOUS-Gold climbs as markets reassess risks after Trump pauses Iran attacks

By Anmol Choubey

April 8 (Reuters) - Gold prices climbed to a nearly three-week high on Wednesday as markets reassessed near-term risks after U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to suspend bombings and attacks on Iran for two weeks, easing fears of energy-driven inflation.

Spot gold XAU= was up 2.5% at $4,819.52 per ounce, as of 0726 GMT. Earlier in the session, bullion rose more than 3% to its highest level since March 19.

U.S. gold futures GCcv1 for June delivery gained 3.4% to $4,845.30.

Trump said Washington had agreed to a two-week pause in attacks and received what he described as a "workable" 10-point proposal from Iran as a basis for negotiations.

His comments followed earlier warnings that Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz or risk U.S. retaliation on its civilian infrastructure.

"People went into this session thinking that escalation was very likely, but the announcement of a two-week truce kind of upended that expectation and that was gold positive," said Nicholas Frappell, global head of institutional markets at ABC Refinery.

Iran's Supreme Security Council said negotiations with the United States would begin on April 10 in Islamabad after it submitted its proposal via Pakistan, adding that talks did not signal an end to the war.

Meanwhile, rising energy prices could fuel inflation and complicate central banks' interest rates decision.

While gold is often seen as a hedge against inflation and uncertainty, its appeal tends to weaken in a high-interest-rate environment as it offers no yield.

Markets are now awaiting minutes of the Federal Reserve's March meeting later in the day.

Gold, which began the year on a strong note, has fallen more than 8% since the Iran war erupted on February 28.

"This is a knee-jerk relief rally and it remains to be seen if Iran complies. For gold, the 200 day-moving-average at $4,930 and then $5,000 will be key hurdles. Similarly, $80-$81 is a important level for silver," independent metals trader Tai Wong said.

Spot silver XAG= jumped 5.8% to $77.16 per ounce, platinum XPT= gained 4% to $2,036.30 and palladium XPD= added 4.6% at $1,537.75.