With cases in a half-dozen Middle Eastern countries that originated from travel within its borders, Iran has emerged as a regional epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak — which causes the respiratory illness the World Health Organization calls COVID-19 — just as global fears of a pandemic are amplifying. There are clear negative impacts for Iran both politically and economically, as well as potential negative economic and health impacts for the surrounding region. But depending on how Iran manages the internal and external information flow, the outbreak could also harm and/or help the country's already fragile foreign friendships, should it compel Tehran to reach out to the broader world for more help.