Trump is preoccupied with the impeachment investigation

Speaking to ILNA news agency, The US professor, Ross K. Baker added that Trump impeachment could possibly lead in two directions: he will avoid any conflict with Iran as he has with North Korea) or he will precipitate a crisis--again with either North Korea or Iran or some other country with which he has had confrontations in the past.

The US Congress watcher said “I think Trump was happy with the protests against the rise in gasoline prices in Iran and, under ordinary circumstances, would have made a big deal of it.

“But he is genuinely concerned that the impeachment process which has yet to cost him much support in his own party may spin out of control."

"If his Republican support begins to unravel he might well seek to provoke a confrontation with another country. Right now, I think he will leave Iran alone," baker added.

US House Democratic leaders on Tuesday unveiled two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, charging the president with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

The House Judiciary Committee is expected to vote this week on whether to send the formal charges to the full House of Representatives. It said it would meet Wednesday evening and Thursday morning to consider the articles of impeachment.

Republicans argue Trump did nothing improper in his call with Zelenskyy and say there is no direct evidence he withheld aid or a White House meeting in exchange for a favour.

The White House in a statement called the formal charges "baseless" and said Trump will address them during the trial phase.

"The president will address these false charges in the Senate and expects to be fully exonerated, because he did nothing wrong," White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said.

Democrats have moved rapidly in their impeachment inquiry since launching an investigation on September 24.

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