Babak Amirkhosravi, Iranian political activist, dies in Paris

Babak Amirkhosravi, a prominent Iranian political activist and founder of the Democratic Party of the Iranian People, passed away in Paris on October 4, 2026, at the age of 99.

Amirkhosravi was a significant figure in the history of the Iranian left. He began his political journey with the Tudeh Party of Iran during his student years at the University of Tehran. Following the 1953 coup, he spent much of his life in exile, participating in international student movements and earning a doctorate in political economy from Humboldt University in Berlin.

After the 1979 Revolution, he returned to Iran to participate in political activities before eventually moving to Europe again. During his later career, he became a critic of the Tudeh Party, leading to his departure and the subsequent formation of the Democratic Party of the Iranian People. He was also involved in the establishment of the Union of Iranian Republicans.

Amirkhosravi is noted for his extensive writings, including his political autobiography and critical analyses of the Tudeh Party, which serve as important historical records of Iran’s contemporary political transformations.