The massive explosion that rocked Iran’s Shahid Rajaee port in the southern coastal town of Bandar Abbas has exposed the “deep vulnerabilities” of the Islamic Republic’s vital sectors as its concerns over internal unrest mount.

Iranian authorities this week have faced mounting accusations of negligence and an attempt to “cover up” death toll figures and the strong suspicion it was using a civilian port to import explosive materials for the military.

But what remains largely unknown is the extent of the damage, the economic impact and how it will directly affect Iranians already discontent with the Iranian regime.

“Rajaee Port is Iran’s primary hub for maritime exports and imports, particularly for oil-based products,” Saeed Ghasseminejad, a senior advisor on Iran and an expert on its economy with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital.

Ghasseminejad explained that the southern port accounted for 52% of Tehran’s oil trade in terms of volume, 77% of its industrial metals and 85% of all container shipments, though he pointed out it is not Iran’s only major port.