New Delhi, July 20 -- DUBAI - Two oil tankers erupted in fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, sending smoke plumes visible from Oman's coast as maritime authorities issued an emergency bulletin ordering all vessels to avoid a six-nautical-mile exclusion zone around the burning ships.

Maritime trade officials from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations identified the vessels but declined to confirm their flags or cargo, citing active life-safety operations. Iranian state media, citing IRGC sources, said the tankers struck anti-ship mines laid in response to the US bombing campaign. US CENTCOM dismissed the mine claim without elaboration, saying only that it was "aware of incidents in the Strait" and was "assessing the situation."...