I wonder how much this is reliable, but on think stroke me: lots of the retaliation process depends on telecommunication working well... and the right people being awake at the right time.
here is a plausible simulation of such an event. One can try to find parallels with the article. If there are, may be its some truth behind it. Just some.
My points is: if the attack happens while everyone is asleep, or in the middle of a political campaign, or during a gala, etc... it seems very easy to "waste" the few minutes that seem so important.
Or, God forbid: if it happens after telecoms have been disturbed for any reason, isn't there a scenario where the first strike is also the last strike ?