Whitney Wright, an American adult film actress, recently traveled to Afghanistan, a country under the control of the Taliban, which has severely restricted the rights of women and girls since taking power.
Wright, who has over 1 million followers on Instagram, has recently been visiting predominantly Muslim countries around the world.
Her visit to Iran last year sparked controversy, as the country, which expelled American influence following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is known for its suppression of women’s rights.
On Instagram, Wright shared photos from her trip to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. These images included a plane from the national airline Ariana on the runway, a tiled ceiling in the city of Herat, as well as shots of supermarket items and vehicles, according to AP reports.
Wright does not appear in these photos and did not respond to inquiries from The Associated Press on Friday.
The Taliban were not available for comment at the time.
The group seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 following an armed conflict with US-backed forces. Since then, they have imposed restrictions on women’s access to education and employment, effectively limiting their movements and roles in society.
The Taliban, which is seeking international recognition, aims to attract tourists and showcase a different image of the country. As violence has decreased, more foreigners have been visiting Afghanistan.
Who is Whitney Wright?
A native of Oklahoma City, Wright, a US citizen, would have needed a visa to enter Afghanistan. However, there are no Afghan embassies or consulates operating in the US at the moment. The Taliban now control around 40 diplomatic missions worldwide.
The US State Department has advised against travel to Afghanistan due to ongoing civil unrest, terrorism, crime, kidnapping risks, and limited healthcare options.
Wright, an outspoken supporter of the Palestinian cause, traveled to Iran last year, where she visited the former US Embassy in Tehran, abandoned after the 1979 hostage crisis. She posted photos on social media, including one of herself standing next to a torn US flag at the embassy.
Although Iranian authorities denied any involvement and clarified that she had been issued a visa like any other foreigner, her visit generated significant debate. Wright, who has been vocal in her criticism of Israel, angered many Iranian exiles by adhering to the country's strict Islamic dress code for women during her trip.