Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. All News Sport Culture Lifestyle (Getty) Applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. rose by 12,000 to 211,000 for the week ending May 9, slightly exceeding analyst forecasts. Despite the increase, the unemployment rate remains low at 4.3%, though the labor market is described as 'low-hire, low-fire,' making it difficult for some to secure new employment. The ongoing conflict in Iran has injected significant economic uncertainty, causing oil prices to surge by over 50% and gas prices to climb to $4.53 per gallon, impacting consumer finances and business hiring. Inflation is on the rise, with consumer-level inflation up 3.8% and wholesale prices increasing by 6% from a year ago, both exceeding the Federal Reserve's 2% target.…