diff --git a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvBase.cpp b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvBase.cpp
index 4894a4dd21a..401bb4dfdb8 100644
--- a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvBase.cpp
+++ b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvBase.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2003, 2025, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2003, 2026, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
  *
  * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
@@ -2491,7 +2491,7 @@ SetOrClearFramePopClosure::do_thread(Thread *target) {
     _result = JVMTI_ERROR_NO_MORE_FRAMES;
     return;
   }
-  assert(_state->get_thread_or_saved() == java_thread, "Must be");
+  assert(_state->get_thread() == java_thread, "Must be");
 
   RegisterMap reg_map(java_thread,
                       RegisterMap::UpdateMap::include,
diff --git a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvThreadState.cpp b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvThreadState.cpp
index 571c4ca5528..303923076b1 100644
--- a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvThreadState.cpp
+++ b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvThreadState.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2003, 2025, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2003, 2026, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
  *
  * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
@@ -151,11 +151,6 @@ bool JvmtiEnvThreadState::is_virtual() {
   return _state->is_virtual();
 }
 
-// Use _thread_saved if cthread is detached from JavaThread (_thread == nullptr).
-JavaThread* JvmtiEnvThreadState::get_thread_or_saved() {
-  return _state->get_thread_or_saved();
-}
-
 JavaThread* JvmtiEnvThreadState::get_thread() {
   return _state->get_thread();
 }
@@ -344,7 +339,7 @@ void JvmtiEnvThreadState::reset_current_location(jvmtiEvent event_type, bool ena
   if (enabled) {
     // If enabling breakpoint, no need to reset.
     // Can't do anything if empty stack.
-    JavaThread* thread = get_thread_or_saved();
+    JavaThread* thread = get_thread();
 
     if (event_type == JVMTI_EVENT_SINGLE_STEP &&
         ((thread == nullptr && is_virtual()) || thread->has_last_Java_frame())) {
diff --git a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvThreadState.hpp b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvThreadState.hpp
index a2ab25a59dd..16b369e0857 100644
--- a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvThreadState.hpp
+++ b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEnvThreadState.hpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2003, 2025, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2003, 2026, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
  *
  * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
@@ -170,8 +170,6 @@ public:
 
   inline JvmtiThreadState* jvmti_thread_state() { return _state; }
 
-  // use _thread_saved if cthread is detached from JavaThread
-  JavaThread *get_thread_or_saved();
   JavaThread *get_thread();
   inline JvmtiEnv *get_env() { return _env; }
 
diff --git a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEventController.cpp b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEventController.cpp
index 9df3bbb4b3e..cb44b833c48 100644
--- a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEventController.cpp
+++ b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiEventController.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2003, 2025, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2003, 2026, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
  *
  * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
@@ -217,6 +217,10 @@ class EnterInterpOnlyModeClosure : public HandshakeClosure {
 
     assert(state != nullptr, "sanity check");
     assert(state->get_thread() == jt, "handshake unsafe conditions");
+    assert(jt->jvmti_thread_state() == state, "sanity check");
+    assert(!jt->is_interp_only_mode(), "sanity check");
+    assert(!state->is_interp_only_mode(), "sanity check");
+
     if (!state->is_pending_interp_only_mode()) {
       _completed = true;
       return;  // The pending flag has been already cleared, so bail out.
@@ -361,7 +365,8 @@ void VM_ChangeSingleStep::doit() {
 
 void JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::enter_interp_only_mode(JvmtiThreadState *state) {
   EC_TRACE(("[%s] # Entering interpreter only mode",
-            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(state->get_thread_or_saved())));
+            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(state->get_thread())));
+
   JavaThread *target = state->get_thread();
   Thread *current = Thread::current();
 
@@ -371,8 +376,13 @@ void JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::enter_interp_only_mode(JvmtiThreadState *state
   }
   // This flag will be cleared in EnterInterpOnlyModeClosure handshake.
   state->set_pending_interp_only_mode(true);
-  if (target == nullptr) { // an unmounted virtual thread
-    return;  // EnterInterpOnlyModeClosure will be executed right after mount.
+
+  // There are two cases when entering interp_only_mode is postponed:
+  // 1. Unmounted virtual thread - EnterInterpOnlyModeClosure::do_thread will be executed at mount;
+  // 2. Carrier thread with mounted virtual thread - EnterInterpOnlyModeClosure::do_thread will be executed at unmount.
+  if (target == nullptr ||                                                         // an unmounted virtual thread
+      JvmtiEnvBase::is_thread_carrying_vthread(target, state->get_thread_oop())) { // a vthread carrying thread
+    return;  // EnterInterpOnlyModeClosure will be executed right after mount or unmount.
   }
   EnterInterpOnlyModeClosure hs(state);
   if (target->is_handshake_safe_for(current)) {
@@ -388,7 +398,8 @@ void JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::enter_interp_only_mode(JvmtiThreadState *state
 void
 JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::leave_interp_only_mode(JvmtiThreadState *state) {
   EC_TRACE(("[%s] # Leaving interpreter only mode",
-            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(state->get_thread_or_saved())));
+            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(state->get_thread())));
+
   if (state->is_pending_interp_only_mode()) {
     state->set_pending_interp_only_mode(false);  // Just clear the pending flag.
     assert(!state->is_interp_only_mode(), "sanity check");
@@ -409,7 +420,7 @@ JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::trace_changed(JvmtiThreadState *state, jlong now_en
       if (changed & bit) {
         // it changed, print it
          log_trace(jvmti)("[%s] # %s event %s",
-                      JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(state->get_thread_or_saved()),
+                      JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(state->get_thread()),
                       (now_enabled & bit)? "Enabling" : "Disabling", JvmtiTrace::event_name((jvmtiEvent)ei));
       }
     }
@@ -932,7 +943,7 @@ JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::set_user_enabled(JvmtiEnvBase *env, JavaThread *thr
 void
 JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::set_frame_pop(JvmtiEnvThreadState *ets, JvmtiFramePop fpop) {
   EC_TRACE(("[%s] # set frame pop - frame=%d",
-            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(ets->get_thread_or_saved()),
+            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(ets->get_thread()),
             fpop.frame_number() ));
 
   ets->get_frame_pops()->set(fpop);
@@ -943,7 +954,7 @@ JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::set_frame_pop(JvmtiEnvThreadState *ets, JvmtiFrameP
 void
 JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::clear_frame_pop(JvmtiEnvThreadState *ets, JvmtiFramePop fpop) {
   EC_TRACE(("[%s] # clear frame pop - frame=%d",
-            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(ets->get_thread_or_saved()),
+            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(ets->get_thread()),
             fpop.frame_number() ));
 
   ets->get_frame_pops()->clear(fpop);
@@ -953,7 +964,7 @@ JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::clear_frame_pop(JvmtiEnvThreadState *ets, JvmtiFram
 void
 JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::clear_all_frame_pops(JvmtiEnvThreadState *ets) {
   EC_TRACE(("[%s] # clear all frame pops",
-            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(ets->get_thread_or_saved())
+            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(ets->get_thread())
           ));
 
   ets->get_frame_pops()->clear_all();
@@ -965,7 +976,7 @@ JvmtiEventControllerPrivate::clear_to_frame_pop(JvmtiEnvThreadState *ets, JvmtiF
   int cleared_cnt = ets->get_frame_pops()->clear_to(fpop);
 
   EC_TRACE(("[%s] # clear to frame pop - frame=%d, count=%d",
-            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(ets->get_thread_or_saved()),
+            JvmtiTrace::safe_get_thread_name(ets->get_thread()),
             fpop.frame_number(),
             cleared_cnt ));
 
diff --git a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.cpp b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.cpp
index d7accfd9a0a..32bf2c4e98e 100644
--- a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.cpp
+++ b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2003, 2025, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2003, 2026, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
  *
  * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
@@ -57,7 +57,6 @@ JvmtiThreadState::JvmtiThreadState(JavaThread* thread, oop thread_oop)
   : _thread_event_enable() {
   assert(JvmtiThreadState_lock->is_locked(), "sanity check");
   _thread               = thread;
-  _thread_saved         = nullptr;
   _exception_state      = ES_CLEARED;
   _hide_single_stepping = false;
   _pending_interp_only_mode = false;
@@ -118,11 +117,11 @@ JvmtiThreadState::JvmtiThreadState(JavaThread* thread, oop thread_oop)
 
   if (thread != nullptr) {
     if (thread_oop == nullptr || thread->jvmti_vthread() == nullptr || thread->jvmti_vthread() == thread_oop) {
-      // The JavaThread for carrier or mounted virtual thread case.
+      // The JavaThread for an active carrier or a mounted virtual thread case.
       // Set this only if thread_oop is current thread->jvmti_vthread().
       thread->set_jvmti_thread_state(this);
+      assert(!thread->is_interp_only_mode(), "sanity check");
     }
-    thread->set_interp_only_mode(false);
   }
 }
 
@@ -135,7 +134,10 @@ JvmtiThreadState::~JvmtiThreadState()   {
   }
 
   // clear this as the state for the thread
+  assert(get_thread() != nullptr, "sanity check");
+  assert(get_thread()->jvmti_thread_state() == this, "sanity check");
   get_thread()->set_jvmti_thread_state(nullptr);
+  get_thread()->set_interp_only_mode(false);
 
   // zap our env thread states
   {
@@ -323,6 +325,9 @@ void JvmtiThreadState::enter_interp_only_mode() {
   assert(_thread != nullptr, "sanity check");
   assert(JvmtiThreadState_lock->is_locked(), "sanity check");
   assert(!is_interp_only_mode(), "entering interp only when in interp only mode");
+  assert(_thread->jvmti_vthread() == nullptr || _thread->jvmti_vthread() == get_thread_oop(), "sanity check");
+  assert(_thread->jvmti_thread_state() == this, "sanity check");
+  _saved_interp_only_mode = true;
   _thread->set_interp_only_mode(true);
   invalidate_cur_stack_depth();
 }
@@ -330,10 +335,9 @@ void JvmtiThreadState::enter_interp_only_mode() {
 void JvmtiThreadState::leave_interp_only_mode() {
   assert(JvmtiThreadState_lock->is_locked(), "sanity check");
   assert(is_interp_only_mode(), "leaving interp only when not in interp only mode");
-  if (_thread == nullptr) {
-    // Unmounted virtual thread updates the saved value.
-    _saved_interp_only_mode = false;
-  } else {
+  _saved_interp_only_mode = false;
+  if (_thread != nullptr && _thread->jvmti_thread_state() == this) {
+    assert(_thread->jvmti_vthread() == nullptr || _thread->jvmti_vthread() == get_thread_oop(), "sanity check");
     _thread->set_interp_only_mode(false);
   }
 }
@@ -341,7 +345,7 @@ void JvmtiThreadState::leave_interp_only_mode() {
 
 // Helper routine used in several places
 int JvmtiThreadState::count_frames() {
-  JavaThread* thread = get_thread_or_saved();
+  JavaThread* thread = get_thread();
   javaVFrame *jvf;
   ResourceMark rm;
   if (thread == nullptr) {
@@ -578,11 +582,8 @@ void JvmtiThreadState::update_thread_oop_during_vm_start() {
   }
 }
 
+// For virtual threads only.
 void JvmtiThreadState::set_thread(JavaThread* thread) {
-  _thread_saved = nullptr;  // Common case.
-  if (!_is_virtual && thread == nullptr) {
-    // Save JavaThread* if carrier thread is being detached.
-    _thread_saved = _thread;
-  }
+  assert(is_virtual(), "sanity check");
   _thread = thread;
 }
diff --git a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.hpp b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.hpp
index 866d8828c4c..fa77518a8b6 100644
--- a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.hpp
+++ b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.hpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2003, 2025, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2003, 2026, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
  *
  * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
@@ -123,8 +123,11 @@ class JvmtiVTSuspender : AllStatic {
 class JvmtiThreadState : public CHeapObj<mtInternal> {
  private:
   friend class JvmtiEnv;
+  // The _thread field is a link to the JavaThread associated with JvmtiThreadState.
+  // A platform (including carrier) thread should always have a stable link to its JavaThread.
+  // The _thread field of a virtual thread should point to the JavaThread when
+  // virtual thread is mounted. It should be set to null when it is unmounted.
   JavaThread        *_thread;
-  JavaThread        *_thread_saved;
   OopHandle         _thread_oop_h;
   // Jvmti Events that cannot be posted in their current context.
   JvmtiDeferredEventQueue* _jvmti_event_queue;
@@ -219,7 +222,7 @@ class JvmtiThreadState : public CHeapObj<mtInternal> {
 
   // Used by the interpreter for fullspeed debugging support
   bool is_interp_only_mode()                {
-    return _thread == nullptr ? _saved_interp_only_mode : _thread->is_interp_only_mode();
+    return _saved_interp_only_mode;
   }
   void enter_interp_only_mode();
   void leave_interp_only_mode();
@@ -248,8 +251,10 @@ class JvmtiThreadState : public CHeapObj<mtInternal> {
 
   int count_frames();
 
-  inline JavaThread *get_thread()      { return _thread;              }
-  inline JavaThread *get_thread_or_saved(); // return _thread_saved if _thread is null
+  inline JavaThread *get_thread()      {
+    assert(is_virtual() || _thread != nullptr, "sanity check");
+    return _thread;
+  }
 
   // Needed for virtual threads as they can migrate to different JavaThread's.
   // Also used for carrier threads to clear/restore _thread.
diff --git a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.inline.hpp b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.inline.hpp
index 831a2369a7e..aa81463a696 100644
--- a/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.inline.hpp
+++ b/src/hotspot/share/prims/jvmtiThreadState.inline.hpp
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2006, 2025, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2006, 2026, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
  *
  * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
@@ -130,22 +130,21 @@ inline JvmtiThreadState* JvmtiThreadState::state_for(JavaThread *thread, Handle
   return state;
 }
 
-inline JavaThread* JvmtiThreadState::get_thread_or_saved() {
-  // Use _thread_saved if cthread is detached from JavaThread (_thread == null).
-  return (_thread == nullptr && !is_virtual()) ? _thread_saved : _thread;
-}
-
 inline void JvmtiThreadState::set_should_post_on_exceptions(bool val) {
-  get_thread_or_saved()->set_should_post_on_exceptions_flag(val ? JNI_TRUE : JNI_FALSE);
+  get_thread()->set_should_post_on_exceptions_flag(val ? JNI_TRUE : JNI_FALSE);
 }
 
 inline void JvmtiThreadState::unbind_from(JvmtiThreadState* state, JavaThread* thread) {
   if (state == nullptr) {
+    assert(!thread->is_interp_only_mode(), "sanity check");
     return;
   }
-  // Save thread's interp_only_mode.
-  state->_saved_interp_only_mode = thread->is_interp_only_mode();
-  state->set_thread(nullptr);  // Make sure stale _thread value is never used.
+  assert(thread->jvmti_thread_state() == state, "sanity check");
+  assert(state->get_thread() == thread, "sanity check");
+  assert(thread->is_interp_only_mode() == state->_saved_interp_only_mode, "sanity check");
+  if (state->is_virtual()) {    // clean _thread link for virtual threads only
+    state->set_thread(nullptr); // make sure stale _thread value is never used
+  }
 }
 
 inline void JvmtiThreadState::bind_to(JvmtiThreadState* state, JavaThread* thread) {
@@ -158,7 +157,7 @@ inline void JvmtiThreadState::bind_to(JvmtiThreadState* state, JavaThread* threa
   // Bind JavaThread to JvmtiThreadState.
   thread->set_jvmti_thread_state(state);
 
-  if (state != nullptr) {
+  if (state != nullptr && state->is_virtual()) {
     // Bind to JavaThread.
     state->set_thread(thread);
   }