Mumbai, April 20 -- Silver retreated sharply as escalating tensions between United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz drove oil prices higher, intensifying global inflation concerns and reducing the metal's appeal. While geopolitical risks typically support safe-haven assets, the current environment is instead boosting the US dollar, which has strengthened on rising uncertainty and capital flows, putting pressure on dollar-denominated commodities like silver. Additionally, fears of a prolonged energy supply disruption have increased expectations that central banks may maintain or tighten their policy stance, further weighing on non-yielding assets. Reflecting this global weakness, MCX silver futures saw a sharp decline, with prices fal...