The full truth is that this matter was caused not just by the 17 months, but rather the entire eight years, starting to really take off with what we have pointed out as his "militarily silly" strike of some 27 missiles to boost his domestic polls, in which he gave no advance warning to coalition partners because he decided to do it while thinking, as usual, with his nether parts.
And even at that we must give some credit to Little Jeemy Carter, who refused to help the Shah and cheered on, initially, Khomeini, who, like Lenin, decided immediately upon taking power to "let the terror begin."
"Demonstrably true" means that it can be proved. In this sort of complex issue, what Ari said was an opinion. It really can't be proved with any evidence or logic.
It's kinda standard practice for an administration not to criticize its predecessor so blatantly. Ari overstepped. He knows it, and he apologized.