@The-Janus they can dump units in there non the less. But not enough to take it on I1. And now you can retaliate on their fleet and still protect egypt and keep your fighters who can later on fly to moscow.
Normally Uk does the taranto raid in sz98. What italy normally does is go to Alexandria on I1. On G2 germany destroys cheaply the remaining UK ships and fly on to alexandria bolstering the defense. UK on UK2 has then already lost the Med bc she can only send 2 or 3 new ships which italy can kill. And on I2 they can land new units plus air attack on egypt.
With my idea you will keep egypt. Ok italy has other options but they often overstretch so UK can kill them piece by piece.