President Trump says victory against Iran is within reach, but Pentagon officials seem to be painting a different picture about how much longer this conflict might drag on. The mixed messages from Washington are coming at a time when Iranian leaders appear to be settling in for an extended fight. The uncertainty about the war's timeline is adding to concerns about the economic impact both here at home and around the world. Global markets have been feeling the strain from the ongoing conflict, and that's starting to trickle down to everyday costs for families. Meanwhile, Tehran officials are reportedly preparing for what they expect to be a prolonged military engagement, suggesting they're not planning to back down anytime soon. The conflicting signals from the White House and military leadership aren't helping to clarify what residents can expect in the coming weeks and months. For folks here on the Outer Banks, this means continued uncertainty about everything from gas prices to the broader economic outlook as this international situation continues to unfold.