The war in Iran is complicating investment and hiring plans and creating new cost pressures for businesses, according to the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book released Wednesday. Overall economic activity increased “at a slight to modest pace” in most Fed districts, with two — Boston and New York — reporting slight declines. Consumer spending held up, despite harsh winter weather in much of the country, and employment held steady, according to the research. The Beige Book, published eight times a year, captures current economic conditions across the Fed’s 12 districts through interviews and surveys with businesses, ... (full story)