Mumbai, May 18 -- Gold traded below $4,550 an ounce on Monday as rising energy-driven inflation fears strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates higher for longer or even raise them later this year. Strong gains in the US dollar and Treasury yields following hotter-than-expected US inflation data further pressured bullion prices. Meanwhile, escalating Middle East tensions kept markets cautious after President Donald Trump warned Iran was running out of time to reach a deal with Washington, while attacks on energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf added to geopolitical uncertainty. Investors are now awaiting the latest FOMC meeting minutes and flash US PMI data for further policy signals. On the domestic fr...