Can someone confirm or refute this claim??

President Carter worked throughout the campaign to secure their release, including launching an ill-fated rescue mission in April 1980 that killed eight U.S. servicemen. Critics say the Reagan team was so concerned that Carter would gain a boost by winning their release just before the election, that his campaign manager and others negotiated privately with the Iranians to ensure that did not happen.

If this is true, this is important to know. If this is not true, this is important to highlight, spotlight, debunk, and pillory the Associated Press for communicating without backup.

Feel free to answer my question here, please!