Mumbai, July 20 -- Gold traded below the $4,000-per-ounce mark on Monday, hovering near a nine-month low as surging crude oil prices and escalating US-Iran hostilities reignited concerns over inflation and the possibility of higher global interest rates. While geopolitical tensions typically enhance gold's safe-haven appeal, markets remained focused on the inflationary impact of rising energy prices, which could prompt central banks to maintain a tighter monetary stance, weighing on the non-yielding precious metal. In contrast, silver recovered above $56 per ounce after recent losses, supported by a weaker US dollar, although it remained near its lowest level in eight months. On the domestic front, MCX August gold futures edged 0.5% higher ...