ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iran on Wednesday criticized Qatari remarks accusing Tehran of "threats" against regional countries, warning that Doha must “strictly refrain” from allowing the US to use Qatari soil as a launching pad for attacks on the country.

Qatar on Tuesday urged Iran to “demonstrate good faith,” following what it described as Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) efforts to establish a regional security framework amid threats of possible renewed hostilities between Washington and Tehran.

A Qatari delegation visited the Iranian capital on Sunday, being followed by a Mecca Defense Agreement delegation comprising Saudi, Turkish, and Pakistani officials the day after. Tehran expressed its support of the defensive pact as an alternative to a US-dominanted regional security architecture

“Despite positive statements... Iran needed to translate its rhetoric into action by ending threats against countries in the region and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” said Ibrahim al-Hashemi, head of media and communications for Qatar’s foreign ministry.

Hashemi’s Iranian counterpart reacted to the Qatari statements shortly after on Wednesday.

Qatar must “strictly refrain from repeating certain actions,” Mahmoud Maleki said, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing the presence of US military bases in the country that were used during the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Doha suffered extensive Iranian bombardment during the regional war on account of its hosting of the Al Udeid airbase - the largest US military site in the Middle East.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran expects all regional countries, including Qatar, to demonstrate reciprocal good faith in their policies and approaches,” he said.

The recent meeting between signatories to the Mecca Defense Agreement in Tehran is a “sign of Iran’s good faith and responsible approach” toward the shared interests of the nations in the region, he said.

Maleki urged Doha, which played a role in organizing the quadrilateral meeting in the Iranian capital and has served as a mediator between Tehran and Washington, "to exercise greater caution in their public statements to the media."

The developments come amid reports that the US and Israel are preparing for possible renewed strikes on Iran after the November 3 US midterm elections. The White House said Thursday that the US would not resume attacks before the vote.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump called a ceasefire with Iran a “waste of time,” as Washington and Tehran remain at odds over ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.