Very nice YG, the UK needs to max defend her capitals round one. That is the most important thing for a new player to know. Good tips all around.
I agree that the Italian navy should be neutered as you pointed out. It will cost you the UK Med fleet in the long run (German counter attack), but the UK can recover by bringing in the Indian fleet if need be, and can also build support ships and ground from S Africa. I agree that running the UK navy through the straight to the Red Sea is pretty cowardly, and I like the “grow a pair” analogy lol. There is some other thinks the UK can do, but that comes with more experience.
You also mentioned building a Persian IC to support Egypt and Russia. That is a good place to build as you pointed out, but it also depends on your overall allied strategy. If the Japanese are allowed to grow (US more focus on Europe), they very well could skip India and go for your Persian IC. You know the old saying “If you build it they will come”. lol