Nope, I don't buy it. Mo, I know what is an attack and what isn't. Tony may be your friend, and he may be sorry that he responded in such a manner, but it was an attack.
If, during a disagreement with you, I said "it's well known that MS causes mental deterioration, cognitive difficulties (and it does) so I am assuming that that is why you think ____." That would be an attack. And a pretty nasty thing to say even if I thought it was true.