Kayhan-London has also received information that the spreading acts of sabotage has gone beyond refineries and power stations to reach military bases. State industrial and mining firms have all boosted security measures for their premises and sought protection from the military. In this context, Supreme Leader Khamenei advised a gathering of Basijis on November 26 to "maintain readiness" and "not to be taken by surprise." He's increasingly sounding like the head of a criminal gang who feels rivals are closing in on his operations. Khamenei's stated concern with the integrity of loyalist forces are effectively an admission that their cohesion is damaged. He told his Basijis that some had advised him, in order to end the protests, to start talking to America. The suggestion may have come from the reformists, to whom the ruling clique has turned for advice or support after decades of thwarting them in politics. These reformists, including individuals like former presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hasan Rouhani, may see this as an opportunity to return to front-line politics and "save" themselves and their Islamic Republic. It is all a very different tune than just a few days ago when Khamenei was confidently vowing the unrest would soon be "cleared up."